Urinalysis Flashcards
Give examples of diseases which may be detected by the use of urinalysis?
Diabetes
Renal stones
UTIs
What measures should be taken to ensure infection control when doing urinalysis?
Wash hands before and after
Use gloves during procedure
All spillage decontaminated appropriately
Waste disposed of appropriately
Why might urinalysis be done?
To aid in diagnosis
For screening purposes
To monitor the effects of treatment
To permit laboratory culture to identify micro-organisms and determine drug sensitivity
What are the two type of specimens used in urinalysis - explain the difference between them?
Mid stream specimens of urine (collected from a patient without a catheter, patient collects sample mid stream)
Catheter specimen or urine (collected by syringe from a patient with a catheter)
For mid stream specimens of urine, the patient should urinate into a bowl and this should be transferred to the sample bottle. What additional substance is contained in the red top sample bottles?
Boric acid
What equipment is needed to obtained a catheter specimen of urine?
Disposable gloves A sterile needle A sterile syringe Two alcohol-impregnated wipes A boric acid urine container Sharps disposal bin
Before beginning urinalysis, what checks should be done?
Check patient name and date of birth
Check use by date of dipsticks
If urine has a sweet smell, what might this suggest?
Presence of glucose in urine - check for diabetes mellitus
If the urine smells fishy, what might this suggest?
Infection present
What is the difference between frank and microscopic haematuria?
Frank haematuria - blood can be seen in the urine sample by the naked eye
Microscopic haematuria - blood is found in the urine by the dipstick test
Glycosuria is suggestive of which disease?
Diabetes mellitus
Proteinuria can be a manifestation of acute or chronic renal disease. T/F?
True
Why might a patient have ketones in their urine?
Because they have poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or because of prolonged/ excessive fasting or prolonged periods of vomiting
What does the presence of nitrites in the urine suggest?
The presence of infection
A negative nitrites result on a dipstick test rules out a UTI. T/F?
False - not all bacteria can convert nitrate to nitrite
In addition to the presence of nitrites, a positive result on what other factor on a dipstick test indicates the presence of a UTI?
Leucocytes
Describe how the process of urinalysis is undertaken?
Wash hands and don PPE
Check patient name and DOB
Check that dipsticks are in date
Observe urine for sediment, colour and odour
Remove reagent strip without touching the reagent squares
Immerse the strip fully in the urine
Remove the strip from the urine and tap on the rim of the container to remove the excess
Hold strip against the chart and interpret any colour changes at the appropriate timing s according to the dipstick test
Dispose of equipment
Wash hands
Record results
Some clinical areas will have a machine called a urinalysis analyser which evaluates the urine. This is known as point of care testing. T/F?
True
What factors may result in orange/brown urine?
Liver failure
Metronidazole
Ingesting carrots
What factors may result in red urine?
Frank haematuria
Lead or mercury poisoning
Rifampicin (pink urine)
Ingesting beetroot or rhubarb
What factors may result in green/blue urine?
UTI
Hypercalcaemia
Amitripyline
What factors may result in colourless urine?
Excessive fluid intake
Diabetes insipisdus
Diuretics
The normal pH of the urine is acidic. T/F?
True
Alkalinity of the urine may indicate the presence of certain bacteria such as…?
Pseudomonas
Kiebsiella
Proteus mirabilis
What type of diet may result in a more alkaline urine?
Vegetarian
If blood is found in the urine of a female patient, what should you check before doing further investigation?
That the patient is not menstruating
What is specific gravity on a dipstick test measuring?
The total solute concentration
If a patient is dehydrated, what effect will this have on specific gravity?
High levels of SG
What diseases/conditions may result in a dilute urine giving a low specific gravity?
Diabetes insipidus
Hypercalcaemia
What is the renal threshold for glucose?
10-11 mols
Corticosteroids can result in glycosuria. T/F?
True
