Upated Questions With Completed &
Verified Solutions
What time frame can we run a urinalysis within? - Answer- fresh urine should be
evaluated within 2-4 hours of collection for the most valid results.
Ms. D says that we need to run it within the first 30 minutes...
What can we evaluate with the urinalysis? - Answer- renal function values
protein concentrations
metabolic functions
What is a "complete urinalysis"? - Answer- the evaluation of the physical (color, clarity
and specific gravity), chemical, and formed element characteristics of urine
What are the two preferred methods for urine collection? - Answer- cystocentesis
catheterization
What are the two less useful methods of urine collection? - Answer- free-catch
bladder expression
What should we keep in mind if the only way to get a sample is to do a free catch? -
Answer- midstream to decrease contamination
What kind of abnormalities do we need a NON free catch for? - Answer- We need to
obtain cysto or catheterized samples for problems related to disease in the kidneys or
urinary bladder
What are some problems with bladder expression? - Answer- possibility of rupturing the
bladder if excessive pressure is used or if the bladder wall is compromised.
When should we get a urinalysis ideally? - Answer- A first morning sample will provide
the best evaluation concentrating ability
What is the best time to get a u/a to evaluate urine for casts? - Answer- first stream of
the morning
Why do we do the u/a ASAP after collecting the sample? - Answer- because cellular
element and crystals can deteriorate, making it difficult to recognize them correctly.
Plus, crystals can dissolve over time.
,How long can we postpone running a urinalysis? - Answer- a sample can be
refrigerated for 6 hours - NO LONGER.
What do we have to remember about a sample if it has been refrigerated? - Answer-
Sample needs to return to room temperature before running any tests on it.
What chemical parameters do we worry about with refrigerated samples? - Answer-
Several indicator pads on reagent strips are enzyme-based runs, and the speed of rxn
decreases as the temperature decreased - therefore causing false-negatives/positives
There should be a urinalysis record-keeping systems which includes::: - Answer- when
the sample was obtained
how the sample was obtained
any medication giver prior to the u/a
when the u/a was performed
patient name
owner and hospital ID number
Do we need to run controls for a u/a? - Answer- If the reagent strips are handled and
stored properly, and not used past their expiration date, controls do NOT need to be
performed
What are the common sources for error in urinalysis? - Answer- Errors are primarily pre-
analytical (due to inappropriate collection) and analytical
What is the most common pre-analytical error? - Answer- contamination of urine during
sample collection
What should we know about cleaning products and urine samples? - Answer- cleaning
products/solvents can alter the chemical rxns on a reagent strip. -- wouldnt be able to
do a strip on off-the-table sample
What are the common analytical errors? - Answer- 1) Delay in performing u/a w/o
refrigeration
2) Failure to mix sample prior to aliquoting
3) Failure to resuspend the sample
4) Failure to follow SOPs
How long do we centrifuge a urine sample for? - Answer- we centrifuge 5-10 mLs of
urine for 3-5 minutes at 1000-2000 rpms
What are the parts of a spun down urine sample? - Answer- supernatant
pellet
What color is normal urine? - Answer- clear and light to dark yellow
, What factors can alter the color of urine? - Answer- diet, disease and drugs
Bluish urine - Answer- caused by methylene blue being used as an acidifier.
Black or brown urine - Answer- methemoglobin and nitrites
green urine - Answer- seen when bilirubin is present and allowed to break down over
time
red, red-brown, orange urine - Answer- relate to the presence of erythrocytes or heme
pigments in the urine
hematuria - Answer- indicated when the urine is red and turbid (ie. cloudy)
What if urine is red and translucent? - Answer- hemoglobinuria
myobloinuric
What instrument do we use for SG? - Answer- refractometer
What is the specific gravity of distilled water? - Answer- 1.000
Is there a reference range for the normal patient's specific gravity? - Answer- NOPE
What is the expected USG on a patient that is dehydrated but has normal renal
function? - Answer- canine USG >1.030
feline USG > 1.035
What part of the urine do we perform chemical analysis on? - Answer- supernatant of
centrifuged
or non-centrifuged urine is okay too
Why would we want to do perform analysis on uncentrifuged urine? - Answer- b/c
centrifugation clears the blood cells from the urine and may cause false negatives on
the blood reagent pad
What is the advantage to performing a u/a on a centrifuged urine sample? - Answer- to
clear the urine of particulate that may interfere with interpretation of the reagent pad
changes.
Glucose reagent pad::: - Answer- -enzyme dependent=temperature sensitive
-ascorbic acid will cause a false negative
-decreased activity if USG <1.005
-cleaning agent causes false positive
-watch expiration date