Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

COLLEGE OF NURSING

Benedict’s test
Benedict’s test is used to test for simple carbohydrates. The Benedict’s test identifies reducing
sugars (monosaccharides and some disaccharides), which have free ketone or aldehyde functional groups.
Benedict’s solution can be used to test for the presence of glucose in urine.

 What’s Benedict’s Solution: Anhydrous Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Citrate and Copper (II) Sulfate
Pentahydrate
 There are sugars capable of transferring Hydrogen electrons to other compounds, called
reductions.

How:

1. Approximately 5 ml of sample is obtained in midstream catch manner. Then placed into a clean
test tube.
2. 8 drops of Benedict’s reagent (CuSO4) is placed in the test tube.
3. The solution is then heated for 3-5 minutes, to test for purity.
4. Observe for color change in the solution of test tubes or precipitate formation.

What to look for:

If the solution changes color or precipitates form, the following color indicates for level of sugar in the
urine
1. Green – 0.1 to 0.4%
2. Yellow – 0.5 to 1%
3. Orange – 1.1 to 1.5%
4. Red – 1.6 to 2%
5. Brick Red – 2.1% above

The result:

 If the solution remains blue in color, the result is NEGETIVE

 If the solution changes color to Brick Red, the result is POSITIVE

Urine Test for Protein

This is used to detect the presence of protein in the urine. Proteins are denatured and coagulated
upon heating, gives white cloud precipitate above the solution.

How:

1. Collect the urine specimen, preferably midstream catch and before meals.
2. Pour the urine specimen in the test tube, fill for about 2/3.
3. Heat the remaining 1/3 top part of the test tube, rotating it constantly and observe.
4. Add a 1 to 2 drops of acetic acid along the sides and observe further for precipitates.

What to look for:

If the solution forms precipitates and those frothy layers persists even if acetic acid is added, it indicates:
1. 1 finger breadth of slightly cloudy precipitate – 1+
2. 2 finger breadth or translucent precipitate – 2+
3. 3 finger breadth or opaque precipitate – 3+
4. Thick precipitate – 4+

The result:

 If the precipitates persists and shows inconsistency in clarity of the solution, it indicates the
presence of protein in the urine.

COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING (LAB)

A.Y. 2019 – 2020 1st Semester
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

COLLEGE OF NURSING

Benedict’s test Results

Urine Test for Protein Results

COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING (LAB)

A.Y. 2019 – 2020 1st Semester