Intro To Lab Med Flashcards
What are the three main exams done on urinalysis?
Physical exam, chemical exam and microscopic exam
What does red urine indicate?
Hematuria - kidney stones, UTI or bladder cancer
What does dark yellow urine indicate?
Dehydration or certain foods (carrots)
What does brown urine indicate?
Glomerulonephritis, myoglobin or bile pigments
What does orange urine indicate?
Medication usage including pyridium
What is the normal range for specific gravity of urine?
1.001 - 1.035
What does an high urine specific gravity indicate?
volume depletion
What does a low urine specific gravity indicate?
excessive fluid intake, diuretic usage, diabetes insipidus
What is the normal range for urine pH?
4.6 - 8.0
What does a high urine pH indicate?
vomiting, UTI, kidney disease
What does a low urine pH indicate?
aspirin overdose, starvation, alcohol usage, high protein diet
What is the normal range for urine protein?
not present
What does protein in the urine indicate?
associated with glomerulonephritis, preeclampsia, diabetes
What is the normal range of urine glucose?
not present
What does glucose in the urine indicate?
blood serum levels about 150-300 will cause glucose to spill into the urine. Indicates diabetes, burns, pancreatitis, corticosteroid usage, Cushing’s syndrome
What is the normal range of ketones in the urine?
not present
What does ketones in the urine indicate?
associated with starvation, alcoholism and diabetic ketoacidosis
What is the normal range for Leukocyte Esterase in the urine?
not present
What does leukocyte esterase in the urine indicate?
It shows that there were enzymes released by WBC indicating UTI. It is not specific to UTI though.
What is the normal range for bilirubin in the urine?
not present
What does bilirubin in the urine indicate?
Bilirubin is a byproduct of Hemolysis. Associated with biliary obstruction and liver injury.
What is the normal range of blood in the urine?
not present
What does blood in the urine indicate?
Associated with kidney stones, urinary trauma, UTI, strenuous exercise, and bladder cancer.
What is the normal range of urobilinogen in the urine?
not present
What does urobilinogen in the urine indicate?
Bilirubin may interact with bacteria in the gut to produce urobilinogen which is associated with hemolysis and hepatocellular disease.
What is the normal range of nitrites in the urine?
not present
What does nitrites in the urine indicate?
Some bacteria convert nitrates into nitrites. Nitrites in the urine suggests bacterial infection which is specific but not sensitive. Negative result does not rule out infection.
What is the normal range of WBC in the urine in microscopic exam?
0 - 5 per high power field
What is the normal range of RBC in the urine in microscopic exam?
0 - 3 per high power field
What does the Bence Jones protein found in the microscopic exam of urine indicate?
Multiple myeloma
What do crystals found in the microscopic exam of urine indicate?
Associated with kidney stones
What do casts in the microscopic exam of urine indicate?
Casts are formed in the distal convoluted tubules of the kidney. They are abnormal proteins formed during infection or inflammation. Red blood casts are associated with glomerulonephritis. White blood casts are associated with pyelonephritis.
What is BUN?
Blood, Urea & Nitrogen
What is the normal range for BUN for adults? What units?
5-20 mg/dL
Urea is produced in the liver as a product of …?
Protein catabolism
Urea is filtered from the blood by the _______.
kidneys
BUN greater than 20 mg/dL indicates…?
- Impaired kidney function
- Increased protein catabolism
- Dehydration
BUN less than 5 mg/dL indicates…?
- Liver failure
- Low protein diet (malnutrition)
- Endocrine disorders (that concentrate urine)
What is the normal creatinine range for men?
…for women? …units?
- Men 0.9-1.2 mg/dL
- Women 0.6-1.1 mg/dL
Elevated BUN + elevated creatinine indicates…?
kidney disease
… these are both excreted by the kidneys
Elevated creatinine indicates…?
- Impaired renal function
- May be a ‘normal’ variant in persons with large muscle mass
Low creatinine level indicates…?
- Low muscle mass (expect low values in bedridden patients)
- Liver disease (creatinine is a product of catabolism in the liver)
Which test has the highest sensitivity and specificity for kidney disease, BUN or creatinine.
Creatinine
Elevated levels indicate kidney disease.
Normal uric acid level for men?
… for women? …units?
- Men 3.4-8.0 mg/dL
- Women 2.4-6 mg/dL
Patients suspected of having gout would have an elevated ________ _____.
Uric acid
Breakdown of nucleic acids forms… ?
Uric acid
Hyperuricemia and can lead to…?
Gout
Increased levels of uric acid may be caused by…?
- Excessive breakdown of nucleic acids
- Excessive destruction of cells
- Inability to excrete (urine)
What does CBC stand for?
complete blood count
What is the principal function of circulating blood?
Transportation of …
- RBCs carrying hemoglobin
- White blood cells for defense
- Platelets responding to injury
What are some indications for ordering a CBC?
- Investigate disease of blood or bone marrow
- Investigate response to inflammation or infection
- Assess symptoms of fatigue, pallor, weakness, unexplained bleeding or bruising, dizziness, fever, or weight loss
What are the 9 common components of a CBC?
White blood cell count Red blood cell count Hemoglobin Hematocrit MCH MCHC MCV RDW Platelets
What does MCHC stand for and measure?
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration - the average concentration of HgB in a given volume of blood.