1. Testing Urine with a Urine Reagent Strip PP6

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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.
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Urine Tests
Used to determine the physical condition of a pt
Abnormal –often 1st indicator of disease process
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Urinalysis
An examination of urine
Should be fresh and warm
Examine within 1 hr from collection
Three areas of testing
Physical
Chemical
Microscopic
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Physical testing
Usually done 1st
Consists of observing and recording color, odor, transparency and specific gravity
Specific Gravity
Specimen should be fresh and mixed gently prior to being checked
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Chemical testing
Urine reagent strips
Used to check pH, glucose, albumin (protein), acetones, ketones, blood, white blood cells, red blood cells, bilirubin, urobilinogen
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Microscopic Testing
Done to examine formed elements in the urine by using a centrifuge
Sediment is the examined under a microscope
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8. 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
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9. 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
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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
Diet, meds, renal disease, starvation and diabetes effect pH
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Protein
Retained in the blood
Not normally found in urine (proteinuria)
May be indicative of kidney disease
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Glucose
Not normally found in urine
If blood sugar is high, will be excreted in urine (glycosuria)
Indicative of diabetes
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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
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Blood
Not normally found in urine
Normal if menstruating
Indicative of injury, infection, renal disease or UTI (hematuria)
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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
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Urobilinogen
Bilirubin that has been converted by intestinal bacteria – usually excreted by intestines
Small amounts (EU) Ehrlich units/dL is normal
Large amounts are indicative of heart, spleen, liver or hemolytic disease
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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
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18. 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
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