How to Collect a 24-Hour Urine Sample

Why is it even necessary to collect urine for 24 hours? Normally, just a small urine sample is enough. A single sample can determine critical amounts of substances such as glucose, red or white blood cells or protein. Normal urinalysis is only a "snapshot" of the bigger picture. It is a valuable screening tool, but sometimes doctors need to know the total amount of urine produced in a day or the amount of certain substances (for example, protein, sodium, or potassium) eliminated in a day. A small specimen simply cannot provide this information.

Things You'll Need

• Five-liter urine collection container
• Plastic funnel
• Urine storage container
• Plastic carrier bag
• Ice
• Cooler

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Instructions

• 1

  Obtain a urine collection container (a urinal for males, a "hat" for females), and a urine storage container. There may be a need for two storage containers to contain all of the urine for the 24-hour period.

• 2

  Read any warnings or instructions, which are on the outside of the container. Follow this procedure carefully. The information health care providers obtain is only as accurate as the collection procedure.

• 3

  Use the bathroom upon waking in the morning. Do not save that urine. The collection of urine will start after the first urination.

• 4

  Record the exact start date and time on the collection container's label. The 24-hour collection begins after the first urination and continues through the first urination the next morning.

• 5

  Keep the urine storage container cooled, tightly closed and away from light between each urination. Store the collection on ice or in a cooler.

• 6

  Collect all urine passed for 24 hours into the urine collection container. Place the provided funnel into the opening of the urine storage container. Do not pass urine directly into the container. Finish the collection by passing urine at about the same time the next morning.

• 7

  Record the end date and time on the collection container's label. Check that the label contains your full name, date of birth and the health care provider's name and address. The lab might not accept improperly labeled containers.

• 8

  Tighten the container's cap securely. Enclose the health care provider's lab request in the container's pocket, and then enclose the container in the bag provided. If the urine leaks in transit, the collection will be invalidated.

• 9

  Take the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible after completion. The results will be sent to the health care provider requesting the test.