A random urine specimen is collected as part of the physical examination or at various times during hospitalization. It permits laboratory screening for urinary and systemic disorders as well as for drug screening. Although there are no specific guidelines for how the specimen should be collected, avoiding the introduction of contaminants into the specimen is recommended. Instruct the patient not to touch the inside of the cup or lid. (See Collecting urine.)
Bedpan or urinal with cover, if necessary 
gloves graduated container specimen container with lid label laboratory requisition.
Safety alert The label should always be placed on the container and not on the lid so it is always with the specimen. Always verify that the information on the requisition matches the label prior to sending to avoid a patient identification error that could lead to a diagnostic error.
- Tell the patient that you need a urine specimen for laboratory analysis. Explain the procedure to him and his family, if necessary, to promote cooperation and prevent accidental disposal of specimens.
- Provide privacy. Instruct the patient on bed rest to void into a clean bedpan or urinal or ask the ambulatory patient to void into either one in the bathroom.
Pour, record, discard
- Put on gloves. Then pour at least 120 mL of urine into the specimen container and cap it securely. If the patient's urine output must be measured and recorded, pour the remaining urine into the graduated container. Otherwise, discard the remaining urine. If you inadvertently spill urine on the outside of the container, clean and dry it to prevent cross-contamination. Remove and discard gloves. Wash your hands.
- After you label the specimen container with the patient's name and room number and the date and time of collection, attach the requisition and send it the laboratory immediately or refrigerate if there will be a delay. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines recommend testing the urine within 2 hours of collection, so it should be delivered within that time frame. If you are sending it in a pneumatic tube system, it must be in a compatible leakproof container/urine tube. Verify that the information on the label matches the requisition before sending to the lab. Delayed transport of the specimen may alter test results.
Clean and return
- Put on gloves. Clean the graduated container and urinal or bedpan and return them to their proper storage area. Discard disposable items.
- Wash your hands thoroughly to prevent cross-contamination. Offer the patient a washcloth and soap and water to wash his hands. (See Documenting urine specimen collection.)
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