Concepts about Specimen | CHAPTER 18 | Basic Science

Concepts about Specimen – Introduction to fundamental concepts of Biological Science including the organization and common characteristics of living matters, cell structures and functions, food production by photosynthesis, harvesting energy, mechanism of cells reproduction, genetics, evolutions, and Human Biology. Introduction to general chemistry including basic concepts about matter, atomic structure, chemical bonds, gases, liquid, and solids, solutions, chemical reactions, acid, bases, and salt;

organic and biochemistry including hydrocarbons and their derivatives, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, nucleic acids; principles of physics and applications to nursing including gravity and mechanics, pressure, heat and electricity; nuclear chemistry and nuclear physics, effects of radiation on human beings, and protection and disposal. The aim of the course is to acquire knowledge and skills in general biological science, general chemistry and physics.

Concepts about Specimen

A specimen may be defined as a small quality of a substance or which shows the kind and quality of the sample.

Or

A specimen of anything that is selected for diagnosis examination study or testing.

Or

A specimen is a small quantity of a substance which is collected for investigation purposes and this sample shows the kind and quality of the whole substances.

Definition of Specimen Collection:

Specimen collection is the collection of a required amount of tissue or fluid for laboratory examination is called specimen collection.

Or,

The collection of tissue or body fluids for laboratory investigations to aid diagnosis and/or treatment of medical conditions.

Purpose/Importance of Specimen Collection:

1. To collect a specimen of body discharges or excreta for examination.
2. To aid the doctor is diagnosing and treating the disease.
3. To detect any abnormalities.
4. To identify the disease and nature of disease.
5. To determine the cause for treatment.
6. To note the progress of disease.

Indication of Specimen Collection:

1. Microbiological.
2. Biochemical and
3. Other laboratory investigations are indicated.

Specimen collection offers the first crucial step in investigations that define the nature of the disease and determine diagnosis and the mode of treatment.

Principles of Specimen Collection

1. The patient should be intimated will in advance regarding the procedure and sample of specimen.
2. The specimen container should be clean.
3. Every specimen should be separately labeled clearly with patient’s name, bed number, reg. number, ward number, etc. and nature of specimen with nurse’s signature and date or time of collection etc.
4. All specimens duly labeled should be kept in separate tray for dispatching to lab. 5. Morning specimens should be collected by the night nurse on duty. Other samples should
be collected by day -nurse only. 6. Any special instruction for special test should be noted by nurse in nursing lab not book and instructions is followed accordingly.

Types of Specimen:

There are mainly two types of specimen;

1. Routine examination.
2. Special examination.

Rules of Specimen Collection:

1. The specimen must be collected from right person.
2. Kinds of specimen should be collected as by doctor’s order
3. Adequate amount should be collected according to nature of test
4. The container must be sterile for collection of any specimen and free from outside contaminated.
5. Use special container for some specimen such as fasting blood sugar, random blood sugar, blood for electrolytes etc.
6. Correctly fill a label and attach it to the container,

• Name and age of patient.
• Registration number
• Bed no.
• Ward no.
• Unit no.
• Date or Time.
• The nature of test

Time of specimen collection:

• Usually early in the morning. (Stool, Urine)
• Before washing of mouth-Oral swab, throat swab.
• Specific instruction-fasting blood sugar Collects early in the morning during fasting period.

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• Basic Science | Diploma in Nursing Science and Midwifery