Urinalysis Flashcards
Why do we undertake urinalysis?
Non-invasive and reliable for diagnosing signs & symptoms of diseases in the early stages
Enables monitoring of wellbeing and deviations from normal
What is an MSSU?
Mid-Stream Specimen of Urine
What are the three physical characteristics we look for in urine?
Colour - pale/dark?
Clarity - clear/cloudy?
Odour - offensive/sweet?
What does dark yellow urine indicate?
Dehydration
What does very dark yellow/brown urine indicate? (maybe frothy too)
Bilirubinuria (condition of the liver)
What does bright red urine indicate?
Bleeding from bladder
What does green urine indicate?
Pseudomonas infection
Urine with a sweet odour may indicate what?
Presence of ketones
Urine with a fishy/offensive smell may indicate what?
Infection
Protein in urine (proteinuria) can indicate what?
Contaminated specimen, renal disease or pre-eclampsia.
Ketones in urine (ketonuria) can indicate what?
Excessive breakdown of body fats. This may occur due to fasting, dehydration, vomiting, uncontrolled diabetes.
What is the correct procedure for undertaking urinalysis? (10 steps)
- Check expiry date of reagent strips/dipsticks
- Obtain informed consent
- Wash hands/don PPE
- Observe sample of colour, clarity and odour
- Completely immerse reagent strip in urine
- Blot the stick on a paper towel
- Read the different reagent pads at the time specified
- Compare the blocks to the colour chart provided
- Dispose of urine and strip correctly in line with trust policy
- Wash hands, discuss and document findings, refer on if abnormal as per the NMC Code
What can glucose in urine (glycosuria) indicate?
Blood glucose levels rise or if renal absorption lowers.
May indicate gestational diabetes or diabetes, can also be a normal physiological process in pregnancy due to glomerular filtration rate
What can blood in urine (haematuria) indicate?
May indicate infection, trauma, tumour or calculi. It may be due to contamination from the vagina or haemorrhoids.
What can nitrates in urine indicate?
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
What can urobilinogen indicate?
Liver abnormalities/excessive haemolysis
What is specific gravity?
This reflects the ability of the kidneys to dilute or concentrate the urine. Low levels associated with water diuresis and high levels with dehydration
What can a low pH indicate?
the urine is more acidic than normal and may predispose to the formation of calculi within the bladder or kidney
What does bilirubin in urine indicate?
Hepatic or biliary disease
