Laboratory Study (URINALYSIS)

Normal Findings

Result

Interpretation

Nursing responsibilities Before:

Color

pale to dark yellow or amber

Light yellow

Normal. A red or reddish-brown color could be from a food dye, consumption of beets, a drug, or the presence of either hemoglobin (from the breakdown of blood) or myoglobin (muscle breakdown)

Inform the client about the test to be done. Discuss the purpose and importance of the test. Secure a sterile specimen bottle. Instruct the patient on the proper procedure in obtaining a clean catch urine.

During: Transparency clear clear Normal. Urine is typically clear. A cloudy appearance may indicate an infection. Ensure that the patient obtains a clean urine

Maintain uncontaminated specimen to avoid alteration on the result

After: Albumin negative negative Normal. Urine protein levels are normally low and aren't detected by a dipstick test. Small increases in protein usually aren't a cause for concern. Larger amounts of protein in the urine may indicate a kidney problem. Normal. Normally the amount of sugar (glucose) in urine is too low to be detected. Any detection of sugar on this test usually calls for follow-up testing for diabetes. The pH level indicates the amount of acid in urine. Abnormal pH levels may indicate a kidney or urinary tract disorder. All urine specimens must be labeled with the patients name, time and date, they must also be refrigerated until they are given to the lab.

Sugar

negative

negative

pH

Slightly acidic

acidic

Specific Gravity

1.002 and 1.035

1.016

Normal. Higher than normal concentration often is a result of dehydration, rather than another underlying medical condition. But, it may indicate a kidney disorder.

Pus Cells

negative

2-4hpf

Presence of pus cells in urine may indicate an infection. A positive nitrite test indicates that bacteria may be present in significant numbers. Gram negative rods such as E. coli are more likely to give a positive test.

Morphous Urates

negative

positive

Bacteria

negative

positive

may indicate an infection

RBC

none

none

Normal. Blood in your urine requires additional testing, as it may be a sign of kidney damage, infection, kidney or bladder stones, kidney or bladder cancer or blood disorders, among other conditions