Testing Urine with a Urine Reagent Strip PP6

3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Specimen Containers Variety available Most are clear, calibrated in mL and disposable Have secure lid nonsterile or sterile Must be labeled with pt. name, date, time of collection and test ordered. 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Urine Tests Used to determine the physical condition of a pt Abnormal –often 1st indicator of disease process 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Urinalysis An examination of urine Should be fresh and warm Examine within 1 hr from collection Three areas of testing Physical Chemical Microscopic 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Physical testing Usually done 1st Consists of observing and recording color, odor, transparency and specific gravity Specific Gravity 1.005 -1.030 Specimen should be fresh and mixed gently prior to being checked 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Chemical testing Urine reagent strips Used to check pH, glucose, albumin (protein), acetones, ketones, blood, white blood cells, red blood cells, bilirubin, urobilinogen 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Microscopic Testing Done to examine formed elements in the urine by using a centrifuge Sediment is the examined under a microscope 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

Using Reagent Strips to Test Urine Dipstick test Many types available, all work on same basic principles Firm, plastic strips that have smallpads containing chemical reactants Each pad reacts to a specific substance If substance is present pad will change color and some indicate measurement of amount 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

Using Reagent Strips to Test Urine Sensitive to heat, light and moisture Must be stored in a dry, cool, dark area Must be closed immediately after use Do not touch pads on strips- may cause inaccurate results or skin injury Have expiration date 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Urine pH A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of urine Neutral pH is 7 <7 indicates acidic urine >7 indicates alkaline urine Usually acidic with pH of 5.5 -8.0 Diet, meds, renal disease, starvation and diabetes effect pH 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Protein Retained in the blood Not normally found in urine (proteinuria) May be indicative of kidney disease 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Glucose Not normally found in urine If blood sugar is high, will be excreted in urine (glycosuria) Indicative of diabetes 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Ketones and acetones End products of the metabolism of fat in the body (ketonuria) Not normally found in urine Indicative of diabetes, starvation, fasting, dieting, high-fat diet, metabolic disorders 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Blood Not normally found in urine Normal if menstruating Indicative of injury, infection, renal disease or UTI (hematuria) 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Bilirubin Breakdown product of hemoglobin on RBCs – usually eliminated through the intestines (bilirubinuria) Not normally found in urine Indicative of liver disease Hepatitis Bile duct obstruction 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Urobilinogen Bilirubin that has been converted by intestinal bacteria – usually excreted by intestines Small amounts 0.1-1.0 (EU) Ehrlich units/dL is normal Large amounts are indicative of heart, spleen, liver or hemolytic disease 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Phenylalanine (Phe) An amino acid (protein) excreted in urine when not metabolized by the body Indicative of PKU (phenylketonuria) Congenital disease which causes mental retardation if not detected early best tx for PKU is a diet of low-protein foods Most states require PKU blood/urine test for all newborns 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services

Testing Urine with a Urine Reagent Strip Read instructions carefully when using any type of reagent strip Color comparison chart is located on bottle Clarify time performed and read Use adequate light Perform quality control checks 3.01 Understand Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services