CMLA Urinalysis 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing a urine dipstick test, how long should the strip be immersed in the urine?
- 30 seconds
- Briefly, approximately 1 second (Correct answer)
- 5 minutes
- 10 seconds
Correct answer: Briefly, approximately 1 second
The dipstick should be briefly immersed for about 1 second to prevent leaching of reagents from the pads.
Question 2: A urine pH of 8.5 in a freshly voided specimen may suggest:
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- High protein diet
- Urinary tract infection with urease-producing bacteria (Correct answer)
- Starvation
Correct answer: Urinary tract infection with urease-producing bacteria
Urease-producing bacteria (e.g., Proteus) split urea into ammonia, raising urine pH to alkaline levels.
Question 3: What is the correct order for urine sediment examination using a microscope?
- High power first, then low power
- Low power first, then high power (Correct answer)
- Oil immersion only
- Phase contrast only
Correct answer: Low power first, then high power
Urine sediment is first scanned under low power (10x) to identify casts and other structures, then examined at high power (40x) for detail.
Question 4: Urobilinogen is increased in urine in which condition?
- Obstructive jaundice
- Hemolytic anemia (Correct answer)
- Renal failure
- Diabetes insipidus
Correct answer: Hemolytic anemia
Hemolytic anemia increases bilirubin production, leading to increased urobilinogen formation and excretion in urine.
Question 5: Which preservative is added to urine specimens for culture and sensitivity testing?
- Boric acid (Correct answer)
- Formalin
- Thymol
- Hydrochloric acid
Correct answer: Boric acid
Boric acid preserves urine for culture by inhibiting bacterial growth without killing organisms, maintaining colony counts.
Question 6: Which type of epithelial cell in urine sediment indicates contamination from the female genital tract?
- Renal tubular epithelial cells
- Transitional (urothelial) cells
- Squamous epithelial cells (Correct answer)
- Collecting duct cells
Correct answer: Squamous epithelial cells
Squamous epithelial cells in large numbers indicate vaginal contamination of the urine specimen in females.
Question 7: A urine dipstick hemoglobin test is positive but no red blood cells are seen microscopically. What is the most likely explanation?
- Laboratory error
- Hemoglobinuria or myoglobinuria (Correct answer)
- Contamination with menstrual blood
- Urinary tract infection
Correct answer: Hemoglobinuria or myoglobinuria
A positive dipstick for blood without RBCs on microscopy suggests free hemoglobin or myoglobin in solution rather than intact cells.
CMLA Urinalysis 4
When performing a urine dipstick test, how long should the strip be immersed in the urine?