1Who were among the ancient figures who inferred diagnoses from urine evaluation?
Hippocrates, Aristotle, and the ancient Egyptians
2During what period did uroscopy reach diagnostic dominance?
Middle Ages
3What publication contributed to the rise of uroscopy in 1491?
Johannes de Ketham's Fasciculus Medicinae
4What was the significance of Fasciculus Medicinae?
It was the first illustrated medical book printed
5What illustration in Fasciculus Medicinae demonstrated urine evaluation?
The urine wheel
6What was the purpose of the urine wheel?
To match urine color and consistency with possible diagnoses
7What was disease believed to result from according to the ancient theory of humours?
An imbalance of humours
8Enumerate the four temperaments or humours.
Sanguineous (blood), choleric (yellow bile), phlegmatic (phlegm), melancholic (black bile)
9What historical method did Babylonians and Egyptians use to detect diabetes?
Taste testing of urine
10What did Hindu physicians observe about honey urine?
It attracted ants
11What was Hippocrates' contribution to urinalysis?
Uroscopy and the first documented importance of sputum examination
12Who demonstrated albuminuria by boiling urine?
Frederik Dekkers
13Who wrote a book about "pisse prophets" or charlatans?
Thomas Bryant
14Who contributed to the examination of urine sediment?
Thomas Addis
15Who introduced urinalysis as part of routine patient examination?
Richard Bright
16Who discovered urochrome?
Ludwig Thudichum
17Who is associated with the discovery of cerebrospinal fluid?
Domenico Cotugno
18Who is associated with phenylketonuria (PKU)?
Ivan Følling
19Who is associated with alkaptonuria?
Archibald Garrod
20Who is associated with cystine calculi?
William Wollaston
21Who developed Benedict's reagent?
Stanley Benedict
22What percentage of urine is water?
95–97%
23What percentage of urine consists of solids?
3–5%
24How many grams of total solids are normally present in 24-hour urine according to the notes?
Approximately 60 grams
25How much of the total solids is organic?
Approximately 35 grams
26What is the major organic solid in urine?
Urea
27What is the second major organic solid in urine?
Creatinine
28Enumerate the organic solids found in urine.
Urea, creatinine, hippurate, uric acid, carbohydrates, pigments, fatty acids, mucins, enzymes, and hormones
29How much of the total solids is inorganic?
Approximately 25 grams
30What is the major inorganic component of urine?
Chloride
31Arrange the major inorganic components of urine from highest to lowest.
Chloride > Sodium > Potassium
32What is the principal salt in urine?
Sodium chloride (NaCl)
33Enumerate the other inorganic substances found in urine.
Sulfate, phosphate, ammonium, magnesium, and calcium
34What is a random, occasional, or single urine specimen used for?
Routine and qualitative urinalysis
35When is a random urine specimen ideal for cytology studies according to the notes?
Only after prior hydration and 5 minutes of exercise before collection
36What is the ideal urine specimen for routine urinalysis and pregnancy testing?
First-morning urine
37Why is first-morning urine preferred for routine urinalysis?
It is the most concentrated and most acidic specimen, allowing better preservation of cells and casts
38Why is first-morning urine preferred for pregnancy testing?
It is concentrated and therefore suitable for hCG testing
39Which specimen is often preferred for cytology or cytodiagnostic urine testing?
First-morning urine
40What condition can be evaluated using first-morning urine?
Orthostatic proteinuria
41How should a patient collect a first-morning urine specimen?
Void before going to bed, then collect the urine immediately upon waking
42What is a second-morning or fasting urine specimen?
The second voided urine after a period of fasting
43What is the main use of a second-morning or fasting urine specimen?
Glucose determination
44What is a 2-hour postprandial urine specimen used for?
Diabetic screening or monitoring
45Which specimen is preferred for glucose testing after a meal?
2-hour postprandial urine
46What is a glucose tolerance test urine specimen?
An optional urine specimen collected alongside blood samples during a glucose tolerance test
47What is a fractional urine specimen?
A collection involving at least two voided urine samples
48What is collected during fractional specimen testing?
A series of blood and urine samples at specific time intervals
49What is the purpose of fractional specimen collection?
To compare the concentration of a substance in urine with its concentration in blood
50What condition can be diagnosed using fractional specimens?
Diabetes
51What is a midstream clean-catch specimen used for?
Routine screening and bacterial culture
52What should the patient clean before collecting a midstream clean-catch specimen?
The glans penis or urethral meatus
53What are the two types of catheterized urine specimens?
Urethral and ureteral
54What is a catheterized urine specimen used for?
Bacterial culture
55What is suprapubic aspiration?
Puncturing the abdominal wall and directly aspirating urine from the bladder
56What is suprapubic aspiration used for?
Bladder urine collection for anaerobic bacterial culture and urine cytology
57How is a pediatric urine specimen commonly collected using a collection bag?
Using a soft, clear plastic bag with adhesive
58What are the sterile collection methods for pediatric urine specimens?
Catheterization or suprapubic aspiration
59Is urine collected from diapers recommended for testing?
No
60What is the three-glass technique used to diagnose?
Prostatic infection
61What are the three specimens collected in the three-glass technique?
First portion of voided urine, middle portion of voided urine, and urine after prostatic massage
62Which specimens are examined microscopically in the three-glass technique?
The first and third specimens
63What is compared between the first and third specimens in the three-glass technique?
The number of WBCs and bacteria
64What finding indicates prostatitis in the three-glass technique?
The number of WBCs and bacteria in the third specimen is 10 times greater than in the first specimen
65What is the purpose of the second specimen in the three-glass technique?
It serves as a control for bladder and kidney infection
66What happens if the second specimen is positive for WBCs and bacteria?
The results from the third specimen are considered invalid
67What is the Stamey-Meares test used for?
Diagnosis of prostatitis
68How many specimens are collected in the Stamey-Meares four-glass method?
Four
69Enumerate the four specimens in the Stamey-Meares test.
Initial voided urine (VB1), midstream urine (VB2), expressed prostatic secretions (EPS), and post-prostatic massage urine (VB3)
70What does VB1 test for in the Stamey-Meares test?
Urethral infection or inflammation
71What does VB2 test for in the Stamey-Meares test?
Urinary bladder infection
72What is done with expressed prostatic secretions (EPS)?
They are cultured and examined for WBCs
73What does VB3 represent?
Post-prostatic massage urine specimen
74How many WBCs per high-power field are considered abnormal in the Stamey-Meares test?
More than 10–20 WBCs/HPF
75What are timed urine specimens primarily used for?
Quantitative testing
76What is the collection period for a 24-hour urine specimen?
24 hours, such as 8 AM to 8 AM
77What should the patient do at the starting time of a 24-hour urine collection?
Empty the bladder into the toilet and do not collect that initial urine
78What should be done with all subsequent urine during a 24-hour collection?
Collect all urine in the designated container
79What should the patient do at the end time of a 24-hour urine collection?
Empty the bladder into the collection container
80Does a 24-hour urine specimen require a preservative?
Yes, depending on the test performed
81What is a 12-hour urine specimen used for?
Addis count
82What is a 4-hour urine specimen used for?
Nitrite determination
83How long must urine remain in the bladder before collection for nitrite determination?
At least 4 hours
84What is an afternoon urine specimen collected between 2–4 PM used for?
Urobilinogen determination
85What is the chain of custody?
A process that documents proper sample identification from the time of collection until receipt of laboratory results
86Urine containers should have what physical characteristics?
Wide base and an opening of at least 4 cm.\
87Why should urine containers have a wide base?
To prevent spillage.\
88What is the minimum adequate opening diameter of a urine container?
At least 4 cm.\
89What is the required capacity of a 24-hour urine container?
Up to 3 liters.\
90Why may 24-hour urine containers be colored?
To protect light-sensitive analytes.\
91What happens if urine is added before the start of a 24-hour collection period?
False-increased results.\
92What happens if the final urine specimen is not included in a 24-hour collection?
False-decreased results.\
93When both routine urinalysis and urine culture are requested, which should be performed first?
Urine culture.\
94When should urine specimens be delivered to the laboratory and tested after collection?
Within 2 hours (Strasinger and Harr); ideally within 30 minutes (Turgeon).\
95When do physical, chemical, and microscopic changes in urine begin?
As soon as the urine is voided.
96What causes increased urine pH in an unpreserved specimen?
Urea breakdown by urease into ammonia and loss of CO₂.\
97What causes increased bacteria in an unpreserved urine specimen?
Bacterial multiplication.\
98What causes increased odor in an unpreserved urine specimen?
Urea breakdown by urease into ammonia.\
99Why does nitrite increase in an unpreserved urine specimen?
Bacterial multiplication.\
100What causes urine color to darken or change after standing?
Oxidation or reduction of metabolites, with increased urobilin.\
101What causes decreased urine clarity after standing?
Bacterial multiplication and precipitation of amorphous material.\
102What causes decreased glucose in an unpreserved urine specimen?
Glycolysis.\
103What causes decreased ketones in an unpreserved urine specimen?
Volatilization and bacterial metabolism.\
104What causes decreased conjugated bilirubin in an unpreserved urine specimen?
Light exposure and photo-oxidation to biliverdin.\
105What causes decreased urobilinogen in an unpreserved urine specimen?
Oxidation to urobilin.\
106Why do RBCs, WBCs, and casts decrease in unpreserved urine?
They disintegrate in dilute alkaline urine.\
107What happens to Trichomonas in an unpreserved urine specimen?
They become immobile or die and may be misidentified as WBCs.\
108Which urine parameter is least affected by standing?
Protein
109What is the ideal urine preservative?
An ideal urine preservative does not exist (Strasinger).
110How should a urine preservative be selected?
Choose the preservative that best suits the required analysis.
111What is the main advantage of refrigeration as a urine preservative?
Does not interfere with chemical tests.
112What are the disadvantages of refrigeration as a urine preservative?
Raises specific gravity (SG) by hydrometer and precipitates amorphous phosphates and urates.
113What is the preservative of choice for routine urinalysis and urine culture?
Refrigeration, for up to 24 hours.
114How long does refrigeration prevent bacterial growth in urine?
Up to 24 hours.
115What is the main advantage of using thymol?
Preserves glucose and sediments well
116What is the disadvantage of using thymol?
Interferes with acid precipitation test for protein
117Main advantage of boric acid?
Preserves protein & formed elements well, Does not interfere w routine analyses
118Disadvantage of using boric acid
May precipitate crystals when used in large amounts
119What urine pH does boric acid maintain?
Approximately 6.00.
120What is the bacteriostatic concentration of boric acid?
18 g/L.
121What is boric acid used for during specimen transport?
Culture and sensitivity (C&S).
122What analyses may be affected by boric acid?
Drug and hormone analyses.
123What are the advantages of formalin as a urine preservative?
Excellent sediment preservative.
124What are the disadvantages of formalin?
Acts as a reducing agent and interferes with chemical tests for glucose, blood, leukocytes, and copper reduction.
125What is the additional important information about formalin?
Rinse the specimen container with formalin to preserve cells and casts; preservative of choice for Addis count.
126What are the advantages of toluene as a urine preservative?
Does not interfere with routine tests.
127What are the disadvantages of toluene?
Floats on the urine surface and clings to pipettes and testing materials.
128What is the additional important information about toluene?
Considered the best all-around urine preservative according to Turgeon.
129What are the advantages of sodium fluoride as a urine preservative?
Prevents glycolysis; good preservative for drug analysis.
130What are the disadvantages of sodium fluoride?
Inhibits reagent strip tests for glucose, blood, and leukocytes.
131What is the additional important information about sodium fluoride?
Sodium benzoate may be used instead for reagent strip testing; used for drug-testing specimens.
132What are the advantages of phenol as a urine preservative?
Does not interfere with routine tests.
133What are the disadvantages of phenol?
Causes an odor change.
134What is the additional important information about phenol?
Use 1 drop per ounce of urine specimen.
135What are the advantages of commercial preservative tablets?
Convenient when refrigeration is not possible; have controlled concentrations to minimize interference.
136What are the disadvantages of commercial preservative tablets?
May contain one or more preservatives, including sodium fluoride.
137What is the additional important information about commercial preservative tablets?
Check the tablet composition to determine possible effects on the desired tests.
138What do urine collection kits contain?
A collection cup, C&S preservative tube, or urinalysis (UA) tube.
139What are the advantages of the gray C&S tube?
Stable at room temperature for 48 hours; preserves bacteria.
140What are the disadvantages of the gray C&S tube?
Decreases urine pH; should not be used if the urine is below the minimum fill line.
141What is the additional important information about the gray C&S tube?
Contains boric acid as a preservative and may not be used for routine urinalysis (UA)
142What are the advantages of the yellow plain UA tube?
Can be used with automated instruments.
143What is the additional important information about the yellow plain UA tube?
Has a round or conical bottom.
144What are the advantages of the cherry red/yellow top tube?
Stable for 72 hours at room temperature; compatible with automated instruments.
145What are the disadvantages of the cherry red/yellow top tube?
Must be refrigerated within 2 hours; bilirubin and urobilinogen may decrease if the specimen is exposed to light and left at room temperature.
146What is the additional important information about the cherry red/yellow top tube?
Contains sodium propionate as a preservative; has a conical bottom.
147What are the advantages of Saccomanno fixative?
Preserves cellular elements.
148What is the composition of Saccomanno fixative?
50% ethanol and 2% carbowax.
149What is the additional important information about Saccomanno fixative?
Used for cytology studies; requires 50 mL of urine.
150What preservatives are used for 5-HIAA (serotonin) testing?
Boric acid and HCl.