Urinalysis Module

• Urine is a biohazardous substance that requires the observance of Standard Precautions, including the use of gloves when in contact with the specimen.
• Specimens must be collected in clean, dry, leak-proof containers and should have a wide mouth to facilitate collections from female patients and a wide, flat bottom to prevent overturning.
• Containers should be made of a clear material to allow for determination of color and clarity.
• The recommended capacity of the container is 50 mL, which allows 12 mL of specimen needed for microscopic analysis, additional specimen for repeat analysis, and enough room for the specimen to be mixed by swirling the container.
• Disposable containers are recommended because they eliminate the chance of contamination due to improper washing.
• Labels must be attached to the container, not to the lid, and should not become detached if the container is refrigerated or frozen.
• All specimen labels must contain: patient’s name, patient’s identification number, date and time of collection, patient’s age, and physician’s name.
• A requisition form must accompany specimens delivered to the laboratory, and the information on the form must match the information on the specimen label.
• Additional information on the form can include: method of collection/type of specimen, possible interfering medications, and patient’s clinical information.
• Urine test using benedict’s solution is a test to determine the presence of glucose in urine.
• Glucose found to be present in urine is an indication of Diabetes mellitus.
• The purpose of urine test using benedict’s solution is to detect for the presence of glucose in urine.
• Materials needed for urine test using benedict’s solution include Benedicts solution, test tube, alcohol lamp, droppers, urine, and a match.
• The assessment score for urine test using benedict’s solution is 2 for a very good performance, 1 for a good performance, and 0 for a not performed performance.
• The planning stage for urine test using benedict’s solution involves preparing the place and all the materials needed for the procedure.
• The implementation stage for urine test using benedict’s solution involves introducing yourself and explaining to the client what you are going to do and why it is necessary.
• The cleaning stage for urine test using benedict’s solution involves spreading the plastic lining over the paper lining, placing the CHN bag over the plastic lining, taking out soap, apron, and towel, doing thorough hand washing, and drying hands.
• The documentation stage for urine test using benedict’s solution involves ensuring that you educate your client about the procedure and result.
• The time the specimen is received in the laboratory should be recorded on the form.
• Improperly labeled and collected specimens should be rejected, and appropriate personnel should be notified to collect a new specimen.
• Unacceptable situations include: specimens in unlabeled containers, nonmatching labels and requisition forms, specimens contaminated with feces or toilet paper, containers with contaminated exteriors, specimens of insufficient quantity, and specimens that have been improperly transported.
• One liter of Benedict’s solution can be prepared from 100 g of anhydrous sodium carbonate, 173 g of sodium citrate and 17.3 g of copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate.
• The color of the mixture serves as a guide to the amount of sugar in the urine: blue for sugar absent, green for 0.5% sugar, yellow for 1% sugar, orange for 1.5% sugar, and brick red for 2% or more sugar.
• An albumin test checks the urine for a protein called albumin.
• Albumin is normally found in the blood and filtered by the kidneys.
• Albumin is a protein your body uses for tissue growth and repair.
• Ideally, waste products end up in the urine while albumin and other proteins stay in the blood vessels.
• If albumin shows up in the urine, it may be a sign of kidney damage.
• Albumin in the urine is called albuminuria (proteinuria).
• Early stages of kidney damage will mostly be asymptomatic.
• The only way to know if albumin is present in the urine is to have a urine test.
• When kidney damage gets worse and large amounts of protein escape through the urine, the following symptoms may be noticed: foamy, frothy or bubbly-looking urine and swelling in hands, feet, abdomen or face.
• In a community setting, urinalysis using acetic acid is a good tool for nurses to have an idea about the albumin in the urine.
• This is done for people with history of hypertension.
• The turbidity of the mixture serves as a guide to the amount of albumin in the urine: no turbidity is negative, faint turbidity is plus one, heavy turbidity is plus two, and solid (opaque) is plus three.
• Urine test Acetic acid is a test that detects the presence of albumin proteins in the urine.
• The purpose of the test is to detect the presence of albumin in sample urine, which may indicate PIH in pregnant woman.
• Materials needed for the procedure include: 1 test tube, test tube holder, 10% acetic acid, alcohol lamp, dropper (2 pieces), urine specimen (early morning urine, midstream flow), and match.
• The procedure involves heating the upper portion of the test tube to boiling point, adding 5 drops of 10% acetic acid one drop at a time, and noting the change in color.
• Interpretation of the results is as follows: no turbidity is negative, faint turbidity is plus one, moderate turbidity is plus two, heavy turbidity is plus three, and solid (opaque) is plus four.