What should be done after labeling and securing the stool specimen container?

What should be done after labeling and securing the stool specimen container?

• A. Wash hands
• B. Return the container to the resident
• C. Discard the specimen
• D. Label the container again

Answer: (A)

Hand hygiene is essential after handling any specimen. After labeling and securing the stool container, you should wash your hands to prevent spreading germs to yourself, the resident, and others. If gloves were used, remove them and perform hand hygiene before doing anything else. Returning the container to the resident could contaminate them and the surroundings, discarding the specimen would lose the sample, and relabeling isn’t necessary and can cause labeling errors.

Hand hygiene is essential after handling any specimen. After labeling and securing the stool container, you should wash your hands to prevent spreading germs to yourself, the resident, and others. If gloves were used, remove them and perform hand hygiene before doing anything else. Returning the container to the resident could contaminate them and the surroundings, discarding the specimen would lose the sample, and relabeling isn’t necessary and can cause labeling errors.