PHYSICAL EXAM OF URINE

Question 1

Normal range of urine volume (24 hours)

Answer 1

600-2000 ml

Question 2

Average urine volume (24 hours)

Answer 2

1 200-1 500 ml

Question 3

Night:Day ratio of urine volume

Answer 3

1:2 to 1:3

Question 4

Routine UA required

Answer 4

10-15ml

Question 5

Increased production of urine volume

> 2 000/24 hrs (Henry’s)
2.5 L/day (Strasinger)

Answer 5

POLYURIA

Causes:
• increased fluid intake
• diuretics
• Diabetes mellitus
• Diabetes insipidus

Question 6

Decreased production of urine volume

< 500 ml/24 hrs (Henry’s)
< 400 ml/day (Strasinger)

Answer 6

OLIGURIA

Causes:
• Dehydration
• Renal Calculi or tumor

Question 7

Complete cessation of urine flow

< 100 ml/24 hrs (Graff)

Answer 7

ANURIA

Causes:
• Complete obstruction (stones, carcinomas)
• Toxic agents
• Decreased renal blood flow

Question 8

Excretion of more than 500 ml of urine at night

SG = < 1.018

Answer 8

NOCTURIA

Cause:
• Pregnancy

Question 9

Rough indicator of the degree of hydration

Answer 9

URINE COLOUR

Question 10

Normal urine Colour

Answer 10

Colourless to deep yellow

Question 11

Abnormal urine Colour

Answer 11

Red/red brown (most common)

Question 12

Major pigment, production is directly proportional to metabolic rate

Answer 12

UROCHROME (YELLOW)

*** Increased in thyrotoxicosis, fever, starvation

Question 13

Pigment that may deposit in amorphous urates and Uric acid crystals

Answer 13

UROERYTHRIN (PINK)

Question 14

Pigment that imparts an orange-brown Colour to a urine that is not fresh

Answer 14

UROBILIN (DARK YELLOW/ORANGE)

*** urobilinogen = colourless