Week 1 Lab 1

What are the methods of urine collection?

Cystocentesis, Manual expression, Catheterization, Free-Flow Catch

What are the risks and limitations of manual bladder expression?

Can cause trauma, unsuitable for urine culture, cannot be performed with obstructed bladders (risk of rupture), can distort results (iatrogenic increase in RBCs and WBCs)

What are important considerations for catheterization?

Sedation often required, can be painful, sterility must be maintained, suitable for urine culture, may increase RBCs and epithelial cells

Why is cystocentesis preferred for urine culture?

It is a sterile method and minimizes contamination

What are considerations for performing cystocentesis?

Rarely requires sedation, should be guided with ultrasound, may increase RBCs

What are the advantages and disadvantages of free-flow catch?

Easiest method for dogs, best with midstream sample, difficult in cats, unsuitable for urine culture, high contamination risk

How soon should urine be examined?

Within 30 minutes to 1 hour; specific gravity should be tested immediately

How long can urine be refrigerated?

6-12 hours if unable to process immediately

What happens to urine if stored at room temperature?

Decrease in glucose and bilirubin, bacterial proliferation, crystal formation, breakdown of cells, increased pH, change in specific gravity due to evaporation, increased turbidity

How can urine be preserved?

1 drop of formalin per 1 oz of urine (alters chemistry)

Why are morning samples preferred?

More concentrated urine sample

What are the four main parts of a complete urinalysis?

Physical examination, specific gravity, chemical evaluation, urine sediment analysis

How is specific gravity measured?

Refractometer (measures refractive index)

What should a refractometer be calibrated with?

Room temperature distilled water (SG should read 1.000)

Why should specific gravity be measured before refrigeration?

Refrigeration can alter results

What should be done if urine is too cloudy to measure SG?

Evaluate supernatant after centrifugation

How is SG determined if the reading is too high?

Dilute 1:1 with distilled water, multiply the last two digits of the new SG by 2

What tool is used for chemical evaluation?

Reagent strips

How should reagent strips be stored?

In light-tight containers at room temperature, monitor expiration dates

What are the main parameters evaluated on a reagent strip?

pH, protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, urobilinogen, blood, leukocytes (microscopy preferred), nitrites (insignificant)

What is micturition?

The act of urination

What is polyuria?

Increased urine production

What is stranguria?

Slow, painful urination with straining

What is dysuria?

Painful or difficult urination

What is pollakiuria?

Frequent urination in small amounts

What is anuria?

Absence of urine production

What is nocturia?

Increased urination at night

What is oliguria?

Decreased urine production

What is pyuria?

Pus (WBCs) in urine, often indicating infection

What is glucosuria?

Glucose in urine, often due to diabetes mellitus

What is hematuria?

Blood in urine

What is hemoglobinuria?

Free hemoglobin in urine from RBC destruction

What is myoglobinuria?

Myoglobin in urine due to muscle damage

What is proteinuria?

Excess protein in urine, often indicating kidney disease

What is bacteriuria?

Bacteria in urine, usually indicating infection

What is bilirubinuria?

Bilirubin in urine, often due to liver disease or hemolysis

What is pyelonephritis?

Kidney and renal pelvis inflammation, usually bacterial

What is isosthenuria?

Urine with the same SG as plasma (1.008-1.012), indicating no kidney concentration or dilution

What is hypersthenuria?

High urine SG, indicating concentrated urine

What is hyposthenuria?

Low urine SG, indicating dilute urine

What does afferent mean?

Carrying towards (e.g., afferent arteriole to glomerulus)

What does efferent mean?

Carrying away (e.g., efferent arteriole from glomerulus)

What is the renal corpuscle?

The nephron structure, including the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule, responsible for filtration

What is a nephron?

The functional unit of the kidney that filters blood and forms urine

What does nephrotoxic mean?

Toxic or damaging to the kidneys (e.g., NSAIDs, aminoglycosides)

What is the function of the ureter?

Carries urine from the kidney to the bladder

What is the function of the urethra?

Carries urine from the bladder to outside the body

What is cystitis?

Inflammation of the bladder, often due to infection

What is cystoscopy?

A procedure using a scope to examine the bladder

What is a urolith?

A stone (calculus) in the urinary tract

What is urolithiasis?

The formation or presence of urinary stones

What is crystalluria?

Crystals in the urine

What is cystocentesis?

Needle aspiration of urine from the bladder for a sterile sample

What is hemolysis?

Destruction of RBCs, releasing hemoglobin

What is cystotomy?

Surgical incision into the bladder, often for stone removal