HAND OUT ON URINE TESTS

URINE TESTS
 Several simple urine tests are often done by nurses on the nursing units.
 These include testing for specific gravity, pH, and presence of abnormal constituents such
as glucose, ketones, protein and occult blood.

NORMAL AND ABNORMAL FINDINGS

Specific gravity
 Indicator of urine concentration/ amount of solutes
 Normal: 1.010 – 1.025
 Abnormal
 Low = excess fluid intake or diseases r/t failure to concentrate urine
 High = fluid deficit, dehydration, excess solutes like glucose
Urinary pH
 Determines relative alkalinity or acidity/ acid – base status
 Normal: pH 6
 Abnormal:
 Low pH = metabolic acidosis
 High pH = metabolic alkalosis
Glucose
 To screen for diabetes and to assess clients during pregnancy for abnormal glucose
tolerance
 Normal: 0-trace
 Abnormal: (++) – (++++)
Ketones
 A product of breakdown of fatty acids normally not present in urine
 Normal: (-)
 Abnormal: present
  May indicate uncontrolled diabetes
 Ketoacidosis among alcoholic, starving, or consuming high protein diet
Protein
 Protein molecules are normally too large to escape from glomerular capillaries into
filtrate.
 Normal: 0-trace
 Abnormal: presence
 May indicate damage to glomerular membrane (d/t inflammatory process such as
glomerulonephritis)
Occult blood
 Normal: (-)
 Abnormal: presence
 Stones
 Damage in the bladder or anywhere in the tract

COLLECTING URINE SPECIMEN

1. Clean voided urine specimen – at least 10 ml for routine urinalysis
2. Clean catch/ midstream – collected for urine culture; sterile
3. Timed urine specimen – collection of all urine produced and voided over a specific
period of time ranging from 1-2 hours up to 24 hours (refer to Kozier 8th ed. skill 34-2)
PURPOSE OF THE FOLLOWING URINE TESTS:
 To determine the sugar and albumin level in the urine

MATERIALS NEEDED:
 Test tube 10cc
 Test tube holder
 Medicine dropper
 Fresh urine (clean catch)
 Benedict’s solution
 5% acetic acid
 Match
 Kidney basin
 Alcohol lamp
 BENEDICT’S TEST
Purpose:
 To test for sugar in the urine
 Used to screen for diabetes

Procedure:
1. Place 5cc f Benedict’s solution in a clear test tube. Heat the closed end of test tube.
2. Add 8-10 drops of urine and mix thoroughly.
3. Boil for at least 2 minutes. Allow to cool.
4. Interpret result and record.

Interpretation:
Blue or no change in color = (-)
Bluish green = (+)
Yellowish green = (++)
Yellow = (+++)
Orange or brick red = (++++)
Note: this test is done only for people who cannot or will not test their blood glucose levels.
 HEAT AND ACETIC ACID TEST
Purpose:
 To test for albumin in the urine

Principle:
 Protein coagulates when heated

Procedure:
1. Fill 10cc tube with 2/3 full of clean, fresh urine.
2. Heat the upper portion near the level of urine. Lower portion near the closed end of tube
is not heated to serve as contrast.
3. Add 3-5 drops of acetic acid. Heat again and allow to cool.
4. Interpret result and record.

Interpretation:
No turbidity = (-)
Faint turbidity = (+)
Moderate turbidity = (++)
Heavy turbidity = (+++)
Solid/ opaque = (++++)
Note: This is generally done with a reagent strip/ dipstick.