Urine Culture - Catheterized Specimen

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How is the Test Performed?

Adults and children:
A nurse or a trained technician may perform the test. First, the area around the opening of the urethra is thoroughly washed with an antiseptic solution. A well-lubricated catheter (a thin rubber tube) is gently inserted and advanced until it enters bladder. The urine drains into a sterile container, and the catheter is removed.

Infants:
Sterile infant urine samples are collected with bladder catheterization as described above.

Infants' bladders normally are an abdominal rather than a pelvic organ (the bladder is located higher). On a very rare occasion, your health care provider may choose to collect a urine sample by inserting a needle above the pelvis directly into the bladder and draining the urine. However, this is only likely if a sample is necessary immediately to screen for bacterial infection.

The urine is taken to a laboratory to determine what, if any, organisms are present in the urine. Other tests to determine the sensitivity of the organism to medications may be performed.

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