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
NORMAL AND ABNORMAL FINDINGS
Urinary pH
 Determines relative alkalinity or acidity/ acid – base
status
 Normal: pH 6

 Abnormal:
 Low pH = metabolic acidosis
 High pH = metabolic alkalosis
NORMAL AND ABNORMAL FINDINGS
Glucose
 To screen for diabetes and to assess clients during
pregnancy for abnormal glucose tolerance
 Normal: 0-trace

 Abnormal: (++) – (++++)

NORMAL AND ABNORMAL FINDINGS
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
NORMAL AND ABNORMAL FINDINGS
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)
NORMAL AND ABNORMAL FINDINGS
Occult blood
 Normal: (-)

 Abnormal: presence
 Stones
 Damage in the bladder or anywhere in the tract
COLLECTING URINE SPECIMENS
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

BENEDICT’S TEST
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.

BENEDICT’S TEST
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
HEAT AND ACETIC ACID TEST
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.
HEAT AND ACETIC ACID TEST
Interpretation:

No turbidity = (-)
Faint turbidity = (+)
Moderate turbidity = (++)
Heavy turbidity = (+++)
Solid/ opaque = (++++)

Note: this is generally

done with a reagent
Strip/ dipstick.