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- Ship two of each specimen at a minimum.
- Maintain a log of all specimens sent to include:
a. Date specimen was prepared.
b. Patient identification.
c. Specimen identification.
d. Date specimen was shipped.
e. Test requested.
f. Name of the person requesting the test.
Lab Procedure: Urinalysis
18D Skills and Training ManualWhen: You have to diagnose genito-urinary diseases, detect microorganisms and/or metabolites resulting
from other pathologic conditions.
What You Need: A properly collected specimen a clock or watch, a refractometer, applicator sticks,
reagent strips (N-Multistix), sulfosalicylic acid test materials, Clinitest materials, Acetest materials, Ictotest
materials, a microscope, glass slides and coverslips, a centrifuge, distilled water, test tubes (13 x 100 mm and
15 x 85 mm), disposable transfer pipets, a laboratory request form and a logbook.
What To Do:
- Record the appearance and color of the urine on the laboratory request form.
a. Appearance:
(1) If the specimen appears clear, write “CLEAR” on the form.
(2) If the specimen is not clear but can still be seen through, write “HAZY” on the form.
(3) If the specimen cannot be seen through at all, write “CLOUDY” on the form.
b. Report the color as shades of yellow and report any color change that occurs on standing.
NOTE: Normal color differs due to varying amounts of a pigment called urochrome. Normal color is
straw-yellow amber. Abnormal color can result from diet, medication, and/or disease. Red in males
indicates fresh blood from the lower urinary tract. Orange is caused by medication such as pyridium,
which is used to treat urinary tract infections. Brown indicates hemoglobin; black, malaria (blackwater
fever); colorless, polyuria (absence of urochrome). - Determine and record the specific gravity, pH, protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, nitrite, urobilinogen,
blood, and leukocyte esterase. Dip the reagent strip in the specimen, remove it, and then compare
each reagent area with the corresponding color chart on the bottle label at the number of seconds
specified in the instructions accompanying the reagent strips. - Perform the following confirmation tests for positive reactions on the reagent strip or when indicated
by patient’s condition (if available).
a. Specific gravity–refractometer method.
(1) Place 1 to 2 drops of urine on the refractometer.
(2) Point the refractometer toward a uniform, bright light source.
(3) Look through the refractometer and read the scale.
(4) Report the value from the left-hand scale, at the juncture of the dark and light areas.
NOTE: Normal values are 1.003 to 1.033.
b. Protein–sulfosalicylic acid test procedure.
(1) Add 10 drops of centrifuged urine to a 13 X 100 mm test tube.
(2) Layer 10 drops of sulfosalicylic acid (3 percent) over the surface of the urine. (Equal amounts
of urine and SSA can also be used.)
(3) Observe for turbidity, which confirms a positive result.
(4) Grade the degree of turbidity.
(a) Negative–no turbidity.
(b) Trace–faintly visible turbidity.