Urinalysis Flashcards

What is the maximum time a urine specimen should be stored at room temperature before analysis?

Answer: 2 hours

Urine should be analyzed within 2 hours of collection at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth and cellular degeneration.

Triple phosphate crystals in urine are also known as:

Answer: Coffin-lid crystals

Triple phosphate (struvite) crystals have a characteristic coffin-lid or prism shape and are found in alkaline urine.

Which urine test result is considered a CRITICAL finding requiring immediate physician notification?

Answer: Positive glucose with large ketones in a known diabetic

Large ketones with positive glucose in a diabetic may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate notification.

What does a cloudy or turbid urine appearance most commonly indicate?

Answer: Presence of cells, bacteria, or crystals

Turbidity in urine is most commonly caused by white blood cells, red blood cells, bacteria, or precipitated crystals.

In a midstream clean-catch urine, how many squamous epithelial cells per low-power field indicate probable contamination?

Answer: More than 5

More than 5 squamous epithelial cells per low-power field suggests significant vaginal or skin contamination of the specimen.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) classically produces which characteristic urine odor?

Answer: Musty or mousy

PKU causes accumulation of phenylalanine metabolites (phenylpyruvic acid) giving urine a musty or mousy odor.

Which stain is used to identify fat droplets (lipids) in urine sediment?

Answer: Sudan III or Oil Red O stain

Sudan III or Oil Red O stains lipid droplets orange-red, helping identify oval fat bodies and fatty casts in urine.