L4: CHEMICAL EXAMINATION (REAGENT STRIPS)

chemical examination of urine

• also known as a urinalysis dipstick test, involves using a reagent strip to quickly assess various chemical components in a urine sample

• helps detect potential health issues related to kidney function, urinary tract infections, diabetes, and liver problems

reagent strips

• provide simple, rapid means for performing medically significant chemical analysis of urine, including pH, protein, glucose, ketones, blood, bilirubin, urobilinohen, nitrite, leukocytes, and specific gravity

multistix

• siemens healthcare diagnostics

chemstrip

• roche diagnostics

absorbent pad

• produces color though chemical reaction when comes in contact with urine

color reaction

• interpreted by comparing color with a chart supplied by the manufacturer

reporting

• semiquantitative value: trace, +1, +2, +3, +4

unmixed specimen

• caused non detection of elements that may sunk to the bottom of the container such as rbcs and wbcs

leaching

• prolonged dipping of strip on urine

runover

• excess urine after removal from specimen can produce distortion of colors

improper timing

• follow the manufacturers’ stated time before reading the strip

chart

• use the chart of the reagent strip’s manufacturer

refrigerated specimen

• return to room temp prior to testing

human error

• includes technical carelessness and color blindness

below 30 deg celsius

• storage (room temp)

expiration date

• stamped on the bottle to represent the functional life expectancy of the chemical pads

confirmatory testing

+- defined as test using different reagents or methodologies to detect the same substances as detected by the reagent strips with the same or greater sensitivity or specificity