Question

What are the three steps in urinalysis? what is dipstick method and when it is used?

Answer 1

Urinalysis (UA) is a division of clinical laboratory, which includes the physical, chemical and microscopic examination of urine. The three steps involved in complete urinalysis include,

1. Gross physical examination
2. Chemical analysis
3. Microscopic examination

The gross examination of urine includes observing the color, clarity, odor and volume, which are all the physical properties of the urine. The chemical analysis is done to measure the biochemical components in the urine, and the microscopic examination is generally done to diagnose the urinary tract infections.

Urinalysis (UA) is a division of clinical laboratory, which includes the physical, chemical and microscopic examination of urine. Dipstick format is used for most of the in-house urinalysis chemical tests.

The sample must be fresh (not chemically preserved), well mixed, and room temperature to obtain the best results. The containers of urine dipstick should not be refrigerated, must be stored at room temperature in airtight containers. The common dipstick tests that are routinely performed on random urine specimens include,

• Protein
• pH
• Glucose
• Ketones
• Nitrite
• Bilirubin
• Specific gravity
• Urobilirubin
• Blood
• Leucocyte esterase