URINE SEDIMENT PREPARATION

2 hours

Examination time: Specimen should be examined while fresh or adequately

Dilute Alkaline

Formed elements disintegrate rapidly

Refrigeration

Cause precipitation of amorphous urates and phosphates and other non-pathologic crystals

37 C

Warming to ______ prior to centrifuging may dissolve crystals

10-15 mL

Standard volume provides adequate volume from which to obtain a representative sample of the elements present in the specimen

12 mL

Average frequently used because multiparameter reagent strip are easily immersed in this volume

Pediatric

smaller volume may be used

5 minutes

Standard centrifuging time

400 RCF (1500 rpm)

Standard speed use in centrifuge

0.5 - 1 mL

Decantation, leave approximately ____ uniform fluid above sediment to avoid loss

Concentration factor

volume centrifuged - sediment volume

Resuspension

Gentle agitation to evenly distribute sediment

Coverslip

Prevents evaporation and refractive artifact