Types of fluid collected for bacterial, viral, or fungal culture include pleural, ascitic, synovial, and pericardial fluid. Tissues may have to be minced or ground to release trapped bacteria before culturing.
Transport body fluids to the laboratory in a sterile tube or sterile-capped syringe. Ten to 20 mL of fluid is adequate for culture examination.
Collect bone during surgery and send to the laboratory in a sterile container. Place fragments directly onto the agar surface or into enrichment broth.
Collect pieces of tissue during surgery or during needle biopsy procedures. They should be collected in a sterile specimen cup. Add a small amount of sterile, nonbacteriostatic saline solution to keep specimen moist.
Pretest Patient Care
Explain purpose of and procedure for the culture.
Follow guidelines in Chapter 1 for safe, effective, informed pretest care.
Posttest Patient Care
Review test results; report and record findings. Modify the nursing care plan as needed. Monitor the site of collection, and counsel the patient appropriately.
Follow guidelines in Chapter 1 for safe, effective, informed posttest care.