How to Use Stool Cards
- 1). Prepare for the test by avoiding red meat, blood-containing foods, cantaloupe, raw broccoli, turnip, radish, or horseradish three days before the test. Also refrain from taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications or vitamin C.
- 2). Get your toilet ready for collecting your stool sample by lifting up the toilet seat and placing the plastic wrap across the bowl -- such that your stool will be caught in the plastic -- and will not fall into the water. Once secure, lower the toilet seat.
- 3). Collect your stool in the plastic wrap. Most tests require samples from three consecutive bowel movements.
- 4). Use the applicator that came with your stool guaiac test to smear the stool samples onto the card.
- 5). Cover the area on which the samples were placed, put it in the envelope or packaging that came with the test kit, and return it to the medical laboratory who will examine it.
