Urine has been used for years to control our health. Urine testing is often routine for a girl's medical care and for diagnosing illness or ailments. A sterile sample (otherwise known as a "midstream") is required to look for bacteria in the urine. Due to the particular female anatomy, there is a good chance that external bacteria could contaminate the urine sample, thereby staggering the results if specific procedures are not followed. False positive results are common and result in the unnecessary use of antibiotics or the prescription of more invasive medical tests. The parents then have the task of assisting the girls in taking a sample in the correct method.
Steps
Step 1. Spread out a couple of paper towels to have a clean area for the tube, wipes, or other
These should be within easy reach of the toilet and should not be sprayed when washing your hands.
Step 2. Let the child undress, or help her
Since she will need to spread her legs as wide as possible, she should take off her pants and panties. However, some girls may be able to spread their legs better with pants and panties at the ankles.
Step 3. It is better for both you and the child to roll up their shirt sleeves, if they are long, so as not to get in the way
Step 4. You both should wash your hands
Even if you collect the sample, it is important that the girls also wash their hands. Make sure to wash between your fingers, both the front and back of your hands up to your wrists for 20 seconds. Rinse thoroughly. Pat dry with a paper towel to keep your hands clean. Avoid touching anything unnecessary like the wall, clothes, and more until done.
Step 5. Have the child sit astride the toilet with her legs as wide as possible
A guide suggests having her sit facing the wall (in the usual opposite direction) to encourage her to keep her legs apart. However, the molded portion at the front of most commercial toilet seats may provide more comfortable seating.
Step 6. Open the sample container
Place the lid with the inside facing up on the protected surface of the paper towel. Do not touch the inside of the lid or sample container. It is best to keep your fingers away from the edge when handling the container.
Step 7. Pull her shirt up or hold her shirt so it fits up and out of the way
Step 8. Put on gloves, if provided or asked to do so
Reassure her that the gloves are just for keeping both her and the sample clean.
Step 9. With your legs apart, tilt her back slightly for more space
Step 10. Using the index and middle fingers of your hand, gently separate your lips (the folds of skin around the opening where urine comes out)
Your fingers will be separated as if you are pointing at a downward V. Alternatively, you may be able to use your thumb and forefinger. By separating the labia majora (the outer plump lips) you should also separate the smaller inner lips. If the girl is already older or has large labia minora, be sure to hold them with the same finger described above. If the child is able, she could keep her lips apart herself by the method described above. Make sure you keep your lips apart for the rest of the procedure.
Step 11. Cleaning the urinary meatus (the opening of the urethra from where urine comes out) and the surrounding area has been proven to help reduce the likelihood of a false positive result
To provide a clean urine sample, in addition to cleansing, the child should practice good hygiene when in the bathroom and when washing. There are several directions for intimate cleansing: make sure it follows them.
Step 12. If the directions are vague, these are common steps that are effective when using antibacterial wipes
With the first of the three wipes, slowly wipe the center of the exposed surface from front to back. Make sure you clean the end of her clitoral hood and the area between her inner labia minora, moving slowly and directly to her meatus (the opening from where the urine comes out), in a single swipe from top to bottom. Discard the washcloth. Then repeat this scrubbing using a new one, cleaning only one side of his urinary meatus. Use the last wipe only the other side of the meatus.
Step 13. Use a new wipe to rinse the lips and meatus
Step 14. Tell her it's okay if her pee is dripping or splashing on her fingers or legs
Remember that you can clean and wash your hands when finished.
Step 15. Lean her slightly forward, keeping her lips apart
This will direct her urine stream down the toilet.
Step 16. Still keeping her lips apart, have her start urinating (peeing) in the toilet
If he's having trouble, try turning on the water tap.
Step 17. After urinating a small amount, place the container under its stream
He should continue to urinate (therefore without stopping and / or resuming the flow). Do not let the rim of the glass come into contact with your skin. Moving the cup under his stream while he is peeing is a bit messy and, if done correctly, your fingers get wet.
Step 18. Remove the glass when it is 1/3 or 2/3 full
Do not collect any more. Have her continue to pee even if you have already finished taking the sample. If the glass is only 1/4 full and the baby has no flow, remove the glass before she stops peeing.
Step 19. Once you have removed the sample cup, allow her to finish the pee in the toilet
If he wants, he can stop and restart the flow when you let go of his lips.
Step 20. Place the lid firmly on the cup without touching the rim or the inside of the lid
You can get rid of any urine on the outside of the container. Put the container in a safe place.
Step 21. If necessary, help her clean urine from her legs and elsewhere
This is a natural occasion to reiterate the importance of always proceeding from front to back and never vice versa.
Step 22. This is a good chance to check the color of her pee
If she is dark in color, remind her that she should drink more water. If it's clear and clear, congratulate her on how much water she drinks.
Step 23. Help her get dressed if necessary
Step 24. Finally, both you and her wash your hands again
Don't forget to take the urine sample if you have to take it somewhere!
Step 25. Clearly label the container indicating the date and time
Advice
- Remember to be nice and accommodating to the child if she is intimidated, and explain the process to her.
- If you need to collect a urine sample at home and do not have a suitable container, boil a glass jar and its lid for 7-10 minutes. Let them dry in a clean place. Thanks to the heat they should dry quickly. Do not dry them with a tissue or paper towel. Be careful not to burn yourself.
- If you do your urine sample collection at home and don't have antibacterial wipes, use 3 wipes of paper towels wet with a few drops of antibacterial soap. You could use an additional clean, wet piece of paper for rinsing.
- As you help the child, use the opportunity to push her to independence. Assist her as needed. Depending on her age and experience, she may need you to help her through all the steps listed, or just give her some verbal directions.
- If the child has lip adhesions, check with your doctor what to do. If there is no particular indication, make sure your bladder is full before taking the sample. Follow the directions above, except to separate the inner labia minora. Have her pee vigorously for a longer period of time before placing the container under the stream. This will help wash the area under her labia minora.
- If you collect the urine sample at home, put it in the fridge or in a cool place until you take it to the laboratory.
