Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Aubf-Lesson-2 Introduction To Urinalysis
Aubf-Lesson-2 Introduction To Urinalysis
URINALYSIS
The color, odor and amount of urine can already indicate whether something is wrong
- Ex: Dark urine – could be a sign that they are dehydrated, or their kidneys are not working
properly
A complete urinalysis is composed of multiple tests including physical, chemical, and
microscopic analysis or examination.
HISTORY OF URINALYSIS
1. Laboratory medicine began 6,000 years ago with the analysis of human urine, which was called
uroscopy until the 17th century and today is termed urinalysis.
So today, Physicians use urine to diagnose selective conditions but from Ancient times until the
Victorian era, urine was used as the primary diagnostic tool.
So Physician spoke of urine as a divine fluid or a window to the body.
2. Babylonia and Egyptian physicians began the art of uroscopy.
‘uroscopia’ means scientific examination of urine
It derives from the Greek word ‘auron’ meaning urine and ‘skopeo’ meaning to examine or
inspect.
Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus
- Found in Egyptian hieroglyphics (cave)
- The early physicians examined a bladder-shaped flask of urine
- observe a diagnostic information of urine such as urine color, turbidity, odor, volume,
viscosity and even sweetness.
- 2 Ways To Determine the Sweetness of Urine:
a) testing test (tinikman nila)
b) attraction of ants in certain specimen
3. Sumerian and Babylonian physicians of 400 BC recorded their assessment of urine on clay tablets.
- urine characteristics were altered with different diseases
4. Sanskrit medical works from 100 BC describe 20 different types of urine.
5. Hindu cultures
- urine tasted sweet and that black ants were attracted to sweet urine, a characteristic of the
disease now known as diabetes mellitus.
6. In the fourth century BC, Hippocrates hypothesized that urine was a filtrate of the humors, which
came from the blood and was filtered through the kidneys.
- 4 humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile
- Hippocrates
o describes bubbles that lay on the surface of fresh urine as an indication of long-term
kidney disease.
o bubbles on the surface of urine are in fact often owing to proteinuria (presence of
protein in urine)
o wrote a book in uroscopy
- Galen
- redefined Hippocrates’ ideas, theorizing that urine represented is not a filtrate of the
four humors and overall condition, but rather, a filtrate of the blood.
7. During the middle ages, physicians concentrated with “uroscopy” by means of examining urine and
also part of their training.
8. By 1140 CE, color charts has been developed that describes the significance of 20 different colors.
- Protospatharius
o invented the first documented laboratory technique
o heat would precipitate proteins causing proteinuria to manifest through cloudiness
- Frederik Dekkers
o In 1694, he made a laboratory findings of albuminuria by boiling urine, which
remains a useful ay diagnostic indicator today.
- Paracelsus
o used vinegar to bring out cloudiness
o acid will precipitate or cook proteins
9. By the 17th century, the uses of uroscopy had spiraled far beyond the edge of reason. Physicians
and leches started telling fortunes and predicting the future with urine, a practice known as
‘uromancy’. Witch hunte mixed urine with nails to distinguish witches from on witches. The abuses
of urine finally caused a backlash.
- Thomas Bryant
o led a medical rebellion against all uses of uroscopy over the centuries
o In 1627, he published the Pisse Prophets, a book that devastated uroscopy.
- Thomas Addis
o developed methods for quantitating the microscopic sediment ay
- Richard Bright
o introduced the concept of urinalysis as part of doctor’s routine patient examination
in 1827
Importance of Urinalysis
- Useful in ascertaining evidence of disease or disturbed functions of the kidneys and the
pathological lesions of the uterus, bladder, ureters, for males lesions of prostate and seminal
vesicles.
- Its chemical changes can indicate early disease.
- Common practice of monitoring treatment of diabetes which involves multiple daily urine
test for urinary glucose excretion.
- Frequent study of urine chloride excretion has been proposed as a means of monitoring low
salt diet.
- Determining inborn errors of metabolism.
Urine
- A complex aqueous solution of organic and inorganic constituents resulting from the active
metabolism of the body or directly from foods take in.
- Two unique characteristics of a urine specimen:
1. It is readily available and easily collected specimen.
2. Urine contains information, which can be obtained by inexpensive laboratory tests,
about many of the body’s major metabolic functions.
Composition of Urine
1. Water - 90%
2. Solutes – 5% (organic and inorganic)
Creatinine NaCl
Organic Components
Urea
Creatinine
Uric Acid
Inorganic Components
Chloride
Principle salt
Approximately 100-200 milli equivalent per 24 hours appear in urine
Potassium (K)
Phosphate
Ammonium
Calcium
1. Urea 1. Chloride
2. Creatinine 2. Sodium
3. Uric acid 3. Potassium
SPECIMEN REJECTION
- Improperly labelled and collected specimens should be rejected by the laboratory and request
for new specimen.
SPECIMEN HANDLING
- Changes in urine composition takes place is not only in vivo but also in vitro thus requiring
correct handling after specimen collection
- Take note:
- Never discard specimen before checking with a supervisor. Put on the refrigerator
when still processing the problem or error that encountered in the laboratory.
SPECIMEN INTEGRITY
- After collection, specimen must be sent to the laboratory and be tested within 2 hrs.
- Specimen that cannot be delivered and tested within 2hrs, should be refrigerated or have an
appropriate chemical preservative added.
- If not properly preserved, the following changes can be occur:
Red and White cells and casts Decreased Disintegration in dilute alkaline
urine
NOTE:
pH Nitrite
Bacteria Color
Odor (THE REST AY DECRESEASES NA)
URINE PRESERVATION
- Urine specimen must be examined immediately for accurate result of tests and for proper
evaluation. Examination may be delayed if specimen can be ideally preserved.
- Refrigeration - most routinely used method of preservation. (Physical preservative not Chemical
preservative)
- Refrigerator Temperature is 2 to 8 Degrees Celsius
- Refrigeration will decrease bacterial growth and metabolism, but it will cost precipitation of
amorphous urease and amorphous phosphate.
Amorphous Urease – pink precipitate
Amorphous Phosphate – white precipitate
- Refrigeration it increases specific gravity when measure by urinometer
- If the urine is cultured, it should be refrigerated during transit and kept refrigerated until
cultured up to 24 hrs.
Take note:
Specimens must be return to the room temperature before chemical testing by reagent
strips because the enzymes reaction on the strips perform best at room temperature
and also this will correct specific gravity and may dissolve some of amorphous urease.
Strips ay hindi priniprigenate and sensitive sila sa light.
- Room Temperature – 20 to 24 Degrees Celsius
Ideal Preservative
1. Should be bactericidal
Bactericidal - destroys bacteria
2. Inhibits urease
- Urease is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea. Its breakdown into carbon dioxide
and ammonia which causes elevation of the urine ph. It means tumataas ang ating ph ng urine,
yung ang iniiwas ng ating preservative.
So that, our ideal preservative ay inhibit ng urease.
3. Preserved formed elements in the sediments
- It is important for diagnosis for microscopic examination of urine
4. Should not interfere with chemical tests
NOTE: Choose preservative that best suits the needs of the required analysis.
Urine Preservatives
Refrigeration Does not interfere with Raises specific gravity Prevents bacterial
chemical tests by hydrometer growth 24 h3
Precipitates
amorphous phosphates
and urates
Boric Acid Preserves protein and May precipitate Keeps ph at about 6.0
formed elements well crystals when used in
large amounts
Sodium Fluoride Prevent Glycolysis Inhibit reagent strip May use sodium
tests for glucose, benzoate instead of
blood, and leukocytes fluoride for reagent
Is a good preservative strip testing.
for drug analyses
Take note:
For culture and routine analysis – Boric Acid and Thymol are best preservative for urine specimen
Phenol Does not interfere with Causes an odor change Use 1 drop per ounce
routine tests of specimen
Gray C&S (culture and Sample stable at room Decreases pH; do not Preservative is boric
sensitivity) tube temperature (RT) for use if urine is below acid and may not be
48 hr; preserves minimum fill line used for UA
bacteria
Yellow plain UA tube Use an automated Must refrigerate within Round or conical
instrument 2 hours bottom
Cherry red/yellow top Stable for 72 hours at Bilirubin and Preservative is sodium
tube RT; instrument- urobilinogen may be propionate; conical
compatible decreased if specimen bottom
is exposed to light and
left at RT
Special Preservatives:
1. 10 mL 40% Formalin – Addis count
2. 10 mL conc. HC1 – epinephrine, cathecholamines, vanilymandelic acid (VMA)
3. 10 mL Glacial HAC, pH 2.0 – aldosterone
4. H2SO4 - preserves calcium and other inorganic constituents
5. NaF or Benzoic acid – ideal for glucose analysis; prevents glycolysis
1. Bottle Method
A method that uses any receptacles/container to collect the specimen provided that it is
dry, clean and sterile.
2. Gauze-pad Method
A gauze pad is used to collect the urine and then centrifuged in a centrifuge tube
containing a golf tee.
For infants
3. Midstream Clean Catch Method
Collection of urine specimen for examination at the middle part of a single continued
normal urination
Gitnang ihi na hindi nag iistop because there is a tendency especially for girls na
masama yung epithelial cells sa private area
4. Catheterized Method
Rubber tubed which has been cleaned and sterilized is inserted through the urethral
orifice to the urethral canal, then finally to the bladder to collect a presumably pure
urine specimen.
Not recommended anymore because it is painful
5. Suprapubic Aspiration Method
Direct puncturing of the suprapubic region for collection of urine from the urinary
bladder
Because the bladder is sterile under normal conditions, suprapubic aspiration provides a
sample for bacterial culture that is completely free of extraneous contamination. The
specimen can also be used for cytologic examination.
1. Single/Random Specimen
Any urine sample collected any time of the day
Most commonly received specimen in the lab because it is ease of collection and
convenience
The actual time of voiding should be recorded on the container.
Useful for routine screening tests to detect obvious abnormalities.
Affected by dietary intake or physical activity before collection.
Advantage: Allows detection of pathologic postprandial (collection after a meal)
concentration of solutes like sugar, protein, carbohydrates
2. First Morning Specimen
Voided upon rising or waking
Most ideal screening specimen
Best for urine determination and the contents of sediments
prevents false-negative pregnancy test
Most preferred sample because the nitrate sample is less variable in dilution
Concentrated urine sample: Detection of chemicals and formed elements that may not
be present in a dilute random specimen.
Elevates orthostatic proteinuria or postural proteinuria which is characterized by
elevated protein excretion while in the upright position
The patient should be instructed to collect the specimen immediately on arising and to
deliver it to the laboratory within 2 hours or keep it refrigerated.
3. 24-Hour or Timed Specimen
Used to produce accurate quantitative results
Note: Used for quantifying analytes and creatinine clearance
Required for analytes that exhibits diurnal variations and are affected by changes
brought by daily activities such as exercise, meals and body metabolism.
Note: Solutes that exhibit diurnal variations:
Catecholamines
17 hydroxy steroids
Electrolytes which are lowest in the early morning and highest in the afternoon
(Sodium and Potassium)
Procedure: Have the patient completely empty the urinary bladder. The urine is
discarded. Collect all urine samples voided during the next 24 hours including the last
samples voided exactly at the conclusion of the 24-hour period
Note: The patient must begin and end collection period with an empty bladder.
Provide the patient with the proper collection contained and preservative
DAY 1: 7 AM – patient voids and discards specimen; collects all urine for the next 24 hours
DAY 2: 7 AM – patient voids and adds this urine to previously collected urine
On arrival at laboratory, the entire 24-hour specimen is thoroughly mixed, and the volume is
measured and recorded
Note:
Collected shortly before consuming routine meal and collecting again 2 hours after
eating
For monitoring insulin therapy in diabetic patients
7. Catharized Specimen
Collected under sterile conditions by passing a catheter through the urethra into the
bladder
Used to measure function of individual kidney
Note: Specimens are collected separately by passing catheters through the ureters on
each kidneys not recommended because it is painful
Most commonly used for bacterial culture
Note: If a routine urinalysis is also requested the culture should be performed first to
prevent contamination of the specimen. Culture before routine urinalysis
8. Glucose Tolerance Test
collected to respond with the blood samples drawn during an OGTT.
- For glucose monitoring, may oral glucose tolerance test, nagdradraw ka ng sample
also nagcocollect ka rin for urine sample
tested for glucose and ketones reported along with the blood test results as an aid to
interpret the patients ability to metabolize a measured amount of glucose.
- May include fasting half hour, 1hour ,2-hour,3-hour specimens. Collection is still
institution’s option.
9. Fasting Specimen (Second Morning)
second voided specimen after a period of fasting
the fasting specimen does not contain any metabolites from food ingested before the
beginning of the fasting period
recommended for glucose monitoring
Volume: 30-45 ml
Temperature: 32.5 - 37.7 Celsius
o -must be taken within 4 minutes to confirm that the specimen has not been adulterated
Urine temperature outside the recommended range may indicate specimen contamination.
Color is inspected to identify any signs of contaminants. The sample should be water-free urine.
Bluing agent is added to toilet water to prevent specimen adulteration. If the specimen is
suspected that had been diluted or adulterated, a new sample must be collected, and a
supervisor is notified.
2. The collector adds bluing agent (dye) to the toilet water reservoir to prevent an adulterated
specimen.
3. The collector eliminates any source of water other than toilet by taping the toilet lid and faucet
handles.
4. The donor provides photo identification or positive identification from employer representative.
5. The collector completes step 1 of the chain-of-custody (COC) form and has the donor sign the form.
6. The donor leaves his or her coat, briefcase, and/or purse outside the collection area to avoid the
possibility of concealed substances contaminating the urine.
7. The donor washes his or her hands and receives a specimen cup.
8. The collector remains in the restroom but outside the stall, listening for unauthorized water use,
unless a witnessed collection is requested.
10. The collector checks the urine for abnormal color and for the required amount (30 to 45 mL).
11. The collector checks that the temperature strip on the specimen cup reads 32.5°C to 37.7°C. The
collector PROCEDURE 2-4 records the in-range temperature on the COC form (COC step 2). If the
specimen temperature is out of range or the specimen is suspected of having been diluted or
adulterated, a new specimen must be collected and a supervisor notified.
12. The specimen must remain in the sight of the donor and collector at all times.
13. With the donor watching, the collector peels off the specimen identification strips from the COC
form (COC step 3) and puts them on the capped bottle, covering
18. Each time the specimen is handled, transferred, or placed in storage, every individual must
be identified and the date and purpose of the change recorded.
19. The collector follows laboratory-specific instructions for packaging the specimen bottles and
laboratory copies of the COC form.