Urine as an Indicator of Disease Flashcards
List 2 advantages of urinalysis.
1 - It is a non-invasive procedure.
2 - It is easily obtained.
List the contents of normal urine in order from highest mass present to lowest.
1 - Water.
2 - Urea.
3 - Cl-.
4 - Na+.
5 - K+.
6 - Creatinine.
7 - Bicarbonate.
8 - Uric acid.
What is the average volume of urine produced per day?
1.4L
List 4 factors that influence the volume of urine produced.
1 - Body size.
2 - Diet.
3 - Fluid intake.
4 - Health.
Define pseudohaematuria.
Red-coloured urine in the absence of blood.
List 4 causes of pseudohaematuria.
1 - Free Hb.
2 - Myoglobin.
3 - Porphyrins.
4 - Drugs.
What might be present in the urine to produce a red/brown colour?
Conjugated bilirubin.
What might be present in the urine to produce a black colour?
Melanin due to a disseminated melanoma.
How is a microscopic examination of a urine sample done?
1 - Centrifuge the sample.
2 - Examine sediment for bacteria, cells or urinary casts.
What are urinary casts?
Microscopic cylindrical structures composed of the Tamm-Horsfall mucoprotein, which is secreted by renal tubules.
When might urinary casts be present in the urine in the absence of disease?
Post-exercise.
How is the presence of bacteria seen in a microscopic examination confirmed?
By using a dipstick to test for nitrite production, then producing a culture.
List 2 cells that might be found in the urine that are indicative of disease.
For each cell, state the disease that they might indicate.
1 - White cells might indicate a kidney infection.
2 - Red cells might indicate damage to the urinary tract.
List 4 examples of crystals that might be present in the urine.
1 - Oxalate crystals.
2 - Triple phosphate crystals.
3 - Cystine crystals.
4 - Amorphous crystals.
List 3 diseases / conditions that cause acidic pH extremes.
1 - Uncontrolled diabetes.
2 - Starvation.
3 - Respiratory acidosis.
List 2 molecules that might be found in the urine due to acidic pH extremes.
1 - Cystine crystals.
2 - Excess uric acid.
List 2 diseases / conditions that cause alkaline pH extremes.
1 - Urinary tract obstructions.
2 - Respiratory alkalosis.
List 3 molecules that might be found in the urine due to alkaline pH extremes.
1 - Ca2+.
2 - CaCO3.
3 - MgPO4.
What is the normal pH range for urine?
4.5-8
Give an example of a food that causes acidic urine.
Meat.
List 2 foods that cause alkaline urine.
1 - Citrus fruits.
2 - Vegetables.
What is the function of creatine phosphate?
It is an energy reserve in muscles.