Nursing Foundation
Stool Specimen Collection: Normal and Abnormal Characteristics
Abnormal stool characteristics can indicate various health issues, such as tarry black stool suggesting upper gastrointestinal bleeding or clay-colored stool indicating a bile flow obstruction.
“Learn the 5 essential steps for proper stool specimen collection to make sure correct laboratory results. Discover the characteristics of normal and abnormal stool.”
Introduction:
Stool specimen collection is a critical process in diagnosing gastrointestinal conditions and other health issues. Next the correct procedure ensures that the sample is uncontaminated and provides reliable results.
Table of Contents
Stool Specimen Collection:
Method of Collecting Stool Specimen:
- Container: Use waterproof disposable or wide-mouthed containers.
- Procedure: The client passes stool in a clean bedpan. A small amount is transferred to the container using a stick or spatula, which is then discarded.
- Tapeworm Examination: If checking for tapeworms, the entire stool is sent in a wide-mouthed glass jar.
- Infants: Collect stool from the diaper and send it in a covered container.
- Special Considerations: Make sure stool is not mixed with urine. A cleansing enema be used with saline or tap water if needed.
Characteristics of Normal Faeces:
- Color: Light to dark brown due to bile pigments.
- Odor: Pungent smell influenced by diet, bacterial flora, and medications.
- Frequency: Typically 1-2 times per day, painless.
- Consistency: Semisolid and well-formed in adults.
- Quantity: Varies with diet, typically 4-5 ounces per day.
- Composition: 30% water, with the rest comprising shed intestinal epithelium, bacteria, mucin, salts, and other materials.
- Infants’ Stool: Dark green “meconium” at birth, turning yellow and soft by the end of the first week.
Characteristics of Abnormal Stool:
- Color:
- Tarry black: Indicates upper gastrointestinal bleeding (melena).
- Clay-colored: Suggests bile flow obstruction.
- Odor:
- Foul smell: Part of melena and dysentery.
- Strong smell: Resulting from a meat-rich diet.
- Frequency:
- Increased: Seen in diarrhea.
- Decreased: Seen in constipation or low-residue diets.
- Consistency and Form:
- Hard stools: Seen in constipation.
- Flattened/ribbon-like stools: Indicates bowel obstruction.
- Appearance:
- Fresh blood: Suggests bleeding piles, menstrual blood mixing, or bleeding from the large intestine, among other conditions.
Read more: Stool Specimen Collection: Normal and Abnormal Characteristics
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