STRASINGER (7TH ED. | CHAPTER 6: CHEMICAL EXAMINATION OF URINE) Flashcards
What are the (10) parameters that are measured by current commercial reagent strips?
- pH
- Protein
- GLU
- Ketones
- Blood
- Bilirubin
- Urobilinogen
- Nitrite
- Leukocytes
- SG
What are the (2) trade names of the (2) major types of reagent strips?
- Multistix (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Inc., Tarrytown, NY)
- Chemstrip (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN)
What are consist of chemical-impregnated absorbent pads attached to a plastic strip?
Chemical reagent strips
When does a color-producing chemical reaction takes place in reagent strips?
When the absorbent pad comes in contact w/ urine
How are the reactions in reagent strips interpreted?
By comparing the color produced on the pad within the required time frame w/ a chart supplied by the manufacturer
What are the (5) semiquantitative values that are used when interpreting reactions in reagent strips?
- Trace
- 1+
- 2+
- 3+
- 4+
True or False
Automated reagent strip readers do not provide Systéme International (SI) units
False, automated reagent strip readers also provide Systéme International (SI) units
What is the methodology / process (/ what are the steps) of reagent strip technique?
- Dip the reagent strip completely, but briefly, into a well-mixed specimen at room temperature
- Remove excess urine from the strip by running the edge of the strip on the container when withdrawing it from the specimen
- Blot the strip horizontally on an absorbent medium
- Wait for the specified length of time for reactions to take place according to the manufacturer
- Compare the colored reactions against the manufacturer’s chart using a good light source
Another process:
1. Dip the reagent strip briefly into a well-mixed uncentrifuged urine specimen at room temperature
2. Remove excess urine by touching the edge of the strip to the container as the strip is withdrawn
3. Blot the edge of the strip on a disposable absorbent pad
4. Wait the specified amount of time for the reaction to occur
5. Compare the color reaction of the strip pads to the manufacturer’s color chart in good lighting
6. Read the results at the correct time, and record the results
What are the (8) errors caused by improper reagent strip technique?
- Formed elements, such as RBCs and WBCs sink to the bottom of the specimen and will be undetected in an unmixed specimen
- Allowing the strip to remain in the urine for an extended period may cause leaching of reagents from the pads
- Allowing excess urine to remain on the strip after its removal from the specimen can produce a runover between chemicals on adjacent pads, producing distortion of the colors
- The timing for reactions to take place varies between tests and manufacturers and ranges from 30 - 120 secs for leukocyte esterase (LE)
- A good light source is essential for accurate interpretation of color reactions
- The strip must be held close to the color chart w/out actually being placed on the chart
- Reagent strips and color charts from different manufacturers are not interchangeable
- Specimens that have been refrigerated must be allowed to return to room temperature before reagent strip testing, as the enzymatic reactions on the strips are temperature dependent
What is the recommended solution to prevent runover between chemicals on adjacent pads in the reagent strip?
Blot the edge of the strip on absorbent paper and hold the strip horizontally while comparing it w/ the color chart
What should be done to obtain best semiquantitative results via reagent strips?
Follow the manufacturer’s stated time
When precise timing of reading results via reagent strips cannot be achieved, what should be done?
The manufacturers recommend that reactions be read between 60 - 120 secs, w/ the LE reaction read at 120 secs
True or False
Manufacturers have a constant direction of the reagent strip to the color chart on the container when reading results
False, manufacturers vary in the direction of the reagent strip to the color chart on the container when reading results
True or False
Automated reagent strip instruments standardize the color interpretation and timing of the reaction and are not subject to room lighting deficiencies or inconsistency among laboratory personnel
True
True or False
The enzymatic reactions on the strips are not dependent to temperature
False, the enzymatic reactions on the strips are temperature dependent
Reagent strips must be protected from deterioration caused by what (4) components?
- Moisture
- Volatile chemicals
- Heat
- Light
How to protect reagent strips from light and moisture?
They are packaged in opaque containers w/ desiccant
When are reagent strips removed from the bottle?
They are removed just before testing and the bottle is tightly resealed immediately
True or False
Bottles (of reagent strips) can be opened in the presence of volatile fumes
False, bottles (of reagent strips) should not be opened in the presence of volatile fumes
What is the storage temperature recommended by manufacturers for reagent strips?
Room temperature below 30°C (but never refrigerated)
All bottles (reagent bottles) are stamped w/ an expiration date, what is the function of this?
This represents the functional life expectancy of the chemical pads
Can reagent strips be used if past the expiration date?
No
Can the chemical pads (in the reagent strips) be touched when removing the strips?
No
What should be done to reagent strips (even if they are still within the expiration date)? What is the purpose of doing this?
Visual inspection should be done each time a strip is used to detect deterioration
How to perform the quality control of reagent strips?
Check w/ both (+) and (-) controls (according to the frequency established by the lab policy)
When do many labs perform QC of reagent strips w/ both (+) and (-) controls?
In the beginning of each shift
What are the (3) situations where QC of reagent strips are done?
- When a new bottle of reagent strips is opened
- When questionable results are obtained
- When there is a concern about the integrity of the strips
What should be done to all QC results?
Must be recorded following lab protocol
Is distilled water recommended as a (-) control for QC of reagent strips? Why or why not?
No, because reagent strip chemical reactions are designed to perform at ionic concentrations similar to urine
What should be the QC results of reagent strips?
All readings of (-) control = (-)
All readings of (+) control = agree w/ published value
What should be done if QC results does not agree w/ published values?
Testing of additional strips and controls
Demonstration of chemically acceptable reagent strips does not entirely rule out the possibility of inaccurate results, what are the other (3) factors that can also produce errors?
- Interfering substances in the urine
- Technical carelessness
- Color blindness
What are the (3) information that the reagent strip manufacturers have published which the lab personnel should be aware of?
-
Limitations
i. Interfering substances of chemical reactions
ii. Sensitivities of chemical reactions
Provide (1) primary example of reagent strip interference
Masking of the color reactions by the orange pigment present in the urine of patients who are taking phenazopyridine compounds