Tell him to think of the test as target practice. Learning to urinate in the toilet is part of toilet training, so tell him that urinating into the test cup is the same thing. Come up with a fun reward for your son for when he “hits the target” during the urine collection. When the test is for protein in the urine, tell your son that the nurse or doctor will have to dip a special paper strip into the urine for a color test. Ask the doctor or nurse if your son can watch the strip being dipped and have your son guess what color the strip will turn.
Come prepared. Ask when you make your son’s doctor’s appointment whether a urine sample will be required. This way you can try to avoid having your child urinate right before the appointment. You should also ask if the urine sample must be a “clean catch” (a sterile specimen) so that you can practice having your son wipe with sterile towelettes before the appointment. [1] X Research source Explain the test to your son. Telling your son that he will have to provide a urine sample prior to the doctor’s appointment and then explaining the test to him in a reassuring, calm manner will also help prepare your son. Explain that even grown-ups collect a sample of urine this way when their doctors ask them to. Assure them this is a normal test and that it is not difficult. Give your son water prior to the test. Encouraging your son to drink plenty of water before your visit to the doctor’s office can help him to urinate when it is time to collect the sample. Having an empty bladder and being unable to urinate may cause your son to feel pressured or stressed during the test, so make things easier for him by getting him to drink liquids beforehand. Simplify the test procedure. Ask the doctor’s office which supplies they offer to make the collection as easy as possible. A receptacle placed in the toilet, such as a bedpan, can be simpler and more familiar for a child than catching urine in a cup. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for how to simplify the test.
Avoid touching anything unnecessary, such as the wall, your face, etc. until after you collect the urine. Put on rubber gloves if they are available.
If your son is uncircumcised, gently retract the foreskin. Ask a nurse or doctor how to do so if you are unsure. Wipe the entire surface with the sterile/alcohol towelettes provided by the doctor’s office. Using the sterile wipe, stroke around the urethral opening (end of the penis) toward his stomach. Discard the wipes. [5] X Research source Replace the foreskin once the area dries. Gently pat the tip of the penis dry with a sterile cotton swab or gauze pad.
Your son should finish urinating into the toilet/urinal after you have removed the cup. If the cup is even a 1/4 full and force of his stream lets up, remove the cup before he stops peeing. [8] X Research source
Set the cup in a safe place to give to the doctor/nurse, or place it inside the special door for urine samples if there is one in the bathroom. [9] X Research source If you are taking the sample at home, refrigerate the sample until you take it to the doctor’s office. [10] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
If your son is uncircumcised, gently retract the foreskin. Ask a nurse or doctor how to do so if you are unsure. Wipe the entire surface with the sterile/alcohol towelettes provided by the doctor’s office. Using the sterile wipe, stroke around the urethral opening (end of the penis) toward his stomach. Discard the wipes. [13] X Research source Replace the foreskin once the area dries. Gently pat the tip of the penis dry with a sterile cotton swab or gauze pad.
Alternate giving one tap every second for one minute, then stopping for one minute, until your son urinates or until 10 minutes have elapsed. Pay attention. The urine stream may happen very quickly, and you may miss it if you’re not looking. Keep the urine cup in the hand that you’re not using to tap with so that you can catch the urine as soon as it comes out. Be patient. The average time it takes to collect urine in this way is approximately 5. 5 minutes. 77% of children will produce urine within 10 minutes. If your son does not urinate within 10 minutes, stop and try again after the next feeding.
Another option is a urine bag. Your doctor’s office may provide you with one if they feel it may be helpful. This is placed inside the diaper, like the urine pad, to collect urine. [15] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
If your son is uncircumcised, gently retract the foreskin. Ask a nurse or doctor how to do so if you are unsure. Wipe the entire surface with the sterile/alcohol towelettes provided by the doctor’s office. Using the sterile wipe, stroke around the urethral opening (end of the penis) toward his stomach. Discard the wipes. [17] X Research source Replace the foreskin once the area dries. Gently pat the tip of the penis dry with a sterile cotton swab or gauze pad. Also wash the rest of your son’s penis and bottom using soap and water or a sterile wipe.
Once your son has urinated, take off the diaper and pad. If your son has also defecated (moved his bowels), then discard the pad and start the test over again. You only want clean urine for the test. Place the pad on a flat surface with the wet side up.
If you need more urine, use the syringe to collect more from the pad. When you have enough urine in the cup, put the lid on the cup.
