MACROSCOPIC URINE

EXAMINATION
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this activity, the students should be able to:
1.To compare the normal and abnormal variations in the macroscopic
appearance of the urine specimen
2.To introduce the methodology and clinical correlation of determining
the specific gravity of urine and calculation of total amount of solids
3.To understand and perform skillfully the determination of the urine
color, clarity and specific gravity
To know the disadvantages of performing specific gravity by
refractometer rather than by urinometer.
PRINCIPLE:
MATERIALS:
• Urine Specimen
• Urine Container
• Reagent Strip (determination of pH)
• News paper/any printed material
• Urinometer
• Refractometer
PROCEDURE: (pH Determination)
1. Dip the reagent strip briefly into a well-mixed uncentrifuged urine
specimen at room temperature.
2. Remove excess urine by touche the edge of the strip to the
container as the strip is withdrawn.
3. Blot the edge of the strip on a disposable absorbent pad.
4. Wait for the specified amount of time for the reaction to occur.
5. Compare the color reaction of the strip pads to themanufacturer's
color chart in good lighting.
PROCEDURE: (Urinometry)
1. Fill the urinometer cylinder with thhe urine about 3/4 full.
2. Float the urinometer in to it (spinning or rotating the urinometer to
avoid touching the sides and bottom of the cylinder)
3. Read the specific gravity at the lower meniscus of the urinometer.
PROCEDURE: (Refractometry)
1. Clean the surface of the cover and prism with a damp cloth and then dry.
2. Close the cover and apply a drop of urine to the notched bottom of the
cover so that it flows over the prism surface by capillary action.
3. Point the instrument towards the light source at an angle that gives
optimum contrast.
4. Rotate the eyepiece until the scale is in focus.
5. Read directly on the specific gravity scale the sharp dividing line between
light and dark.
6. Repeat the entire procedure with a second drop of urine from the same
sample.
RESULTS OF THE TEST/S: