360 - Urinalysis Flashcards
(134 cards)
types of urine collection techniques
routine void/random
midstream
catheter
suprapubic aspiration
pediatric
Why is the first-morning urine the recommended specimen for urinalysis
it’s the most concentrated
- can be a clean catch or midstream
catheter urine
- often contaminated with CNS
- insertion of thin rubber tube through urethra into bladder
suprapubic aspiration
usually infants for culture
needle inserted directly into bladder guided via ultrasound; urine drained
random urine specimens - acceptable for urinalysis?
acceptable for urinalysis but if urine has NOT been in bladder for four hours, urine nitrite may be undetectable
when should urinalysis be processed?
within 2 hours of collection as many physical characteristics unstable = bilirubin, urobilinogen, pH
which microscopic elements are unstable
cells and casts degrade upon storage while bacteria and yeast can multiply
how can we preserve urines
refrigeration
cold temps inhibit bacterial growth BUT promote crystal formation
APL does not accept urine specimens greater than 24h old
three general components of routine urinalysis
physical
chemical
microscopic
components of physical examination
- clarity: look down and sides of tube (clear, hazy [bottom not clear], cloudy, turbid)
- colour
T or F. Most urines are clear when voided and cloudiness occurs upon standing
T!
amorphous urates may precipitate in acidic urine
amorphous phosphates may precipitate in alkaline urine
LOTS of blood cells = cloudiness too
what is urine colour affected by?
concentration of sample
presence of excreted metabolites
medications
other chemicals
cellular content
normal urine colour
varies from pale yellow to dark amber
possible pathological cause of AMBER urine
bilirubin
possible no-pathological cause of AMBER urine
dehydration
which urine components are light sensitive
bilirubin
urobilinogen
porphyrins
possible pathological cause of ORANGE urine
bilirubin
possible non-pathological cause of ORANGE urine
carrots
riboflavin (vit B)
rhubarb
possible pathological cause of PINK to RED urine
red blood cells (CLOUDY)
hemoglobin (CLEAR)
myoglobin
porphyrins
possible non-pathological cause of PINK to RED urine
beets
methyldopa
Senna (laxative)
possible pathological cause of RED to BROWN urine
prophobilin
possible pathological cause of BROWN to BLACK urine
bilirubin
melanin
methemoglobin
myoglobin
possible non-pathological cause of BROWN to BLACK urine
iron compounds
levodopa (Parkinson’s)
quinine (Malaria)
possible pathological cause of BLUE to GREEN urine
Pseudomonas
biliverdin