18. What diagnostic information can be obtained by an elevated urine microalbumin? 19. Proteinuria can be classified as or 20. What are 5 common causes of proteinuria? 21. What causes glycosuria? 22. What causes ketonuria? 23. Does a negative dip stick for nitrites rule out a UTI? 24. What urinary test could possibly diagnose a Chlamydia infection resulting in pyuria? 25. What can elevate a patient's urobilinogen level? What can cause a decrease in a patient's urobilinogen level? 26. Clean catch urine specimens from female patients are frequently contaminated by 27. Describe the appearance of calcium oxalate crystals. 28. Describe the appearance of uric acid crystals.
18. An elevated urine microalbumin is a diagnostic indication of early kidney damage or dysfunction, particularly related to diabetes or hypertension.
19. Proteinuria can be classified as either glomerular or tubular, depending on the origin and location of the problem.
20. Five common causes of proteinuria include kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, urinary tract infections, and certain medications.
21. Glycosuria is caused by a pathological increase in blood glucose levels, leading to the presence of excess glucose in the urine.
22. Ketonuria is caused by the breakdown of fatty acids, leading to the production and excretion of ketone bodies in the urine. This often occurs in conditions such as diabetes or during periods of fasting.
23. No, a negative dip stick for nitrites does not rule out a urinary tract infection (UTI). Nitrites are only produced by some bacteria, so a negative result does not exclude the possibility of an infection caused by other microorganisms.
24. A nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) can be used to diagnose a Chlamydia infection resulting in pyuria. This test amplifies and detects the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of the bacteria.
25. Elevated urobilinogen levels can be caused by conditions such as liver disease, hemolytic anemia, and certain medications.
26. Clean catch urine specimens from female patients are frequently contaminated by epithelial cells from the genital area, which can introduce bacteria and affect the accuracy of the results.
27. Calcium oxalate crystals appear as small, colorless and elongated structures with pointed ends. They can resemble an envelope or a picket fence when viewed under a microscope.
28. Uric acid crystals appear as yellow or amber-colored, diamond-shaped crystals with sharp edges. They may also appear as prisms or needles under a microscope.
18. An elevated urine microalbumin test can provide diagnostic information about kidney damage or dysfunction. It is commonly used to detect early signs of kidney disease, particularly in patients with diabetes.
19. Proteinuria can be classified as either glomerular or non-glomerular. Glomerular proteinuria indicates a problem with the glomeruli of the kidneys, which could be related to conditions such as glomerulonephritis or nephrotic syndrome. Non-glomerular proteinuria is caused by conditions outside of the kidneys, such as urinary tract infections or certain systemic diseases.
20. Five common causes of proteinuria include:
a. Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage the kidneys and lead to protein leakage.
b. Hypertension (high blood pressure): Chronic high blood pressure can cause kidney damage and proteinuria.
c. Kidney infection or inflammation: Infections or inflammatory conditions can result in proteinuria.
d. Autoimmune diseases: Conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can affect the kidneys and cause proteinuria.
e. Certain medications: Some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or certain antibiotics, may cause temporary proteinuria.
21. Glycosuria is caused by elevated levels of glucose (sugar) in the urine. This typically occurs when blood sugar levels are too high, such as in uncontrolled diabetes. The kidneys normally reabsorb glucose from the urine back into the bloodstream, but if blood sugar levels are too high, the kidneys cannot reabsorb all the glucose, leading to glycosuria.
22. Ketonuria occurs when ketone bodies are present in the urine. Ketones are produced when the body breaks down fat for energy instead of glucose. This can happen in conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, fasting, or extreme dieting, where there is a lack of available glucose for energy production.
23. No, a negative dipstick test for nitrites does not rule out a urinary tract infection (UTI). Nitrites are produced by certain bacteria commonly associated with UTIs, and a positive result indicates the presence of these bacteria. However, not all UTIs are caused by nitrite-forming bacteria, so a negative result does not definitively rule out an infection. Further testing, including urine culture, may be required to confirm or exclude a UTI.
24. A nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) is the preferred urinary test for diagnosing Chlamydia infection resulting in pyuria. It can detect the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of Chlamydia bacteria in the urine sample. This test is highly sensitive and specific for Chlamydia detection.
25. Elevated urobilinogen levels can be caused by conditions such as liver disease, hemolytic anemia, or bile duct obstruction. Liver disease can impair the normal metabolism and excretion of bilirubin, leading to increased urobilinogen levels. Hemolytic anemia, where there is excessive breakdown of red blood cells, can also increase urobilinogen levels. Bile duct obstruction can cause bile, which contains urobilinogen, to accumulate in the liver and increase urobilinogen levels in the urine.
26. Clean catch urine specimens from female patients are frequently contaminated by l secretions. This can occur if proper cleansing and collection techniques are not followed, leading to the introduction of bacteria from the l area into the urine sample.
27. Calcium oxalate crystals appear as small, colorless to dark brown, highly refractive crystals. They can have various shapes, including dumbbell-shaped or envelope-shaped. In urine microscopy, they are often observed in acidic urine and can be associated with kidney stones.
28. Uric acid crystals appear as yellow-brown, needle-shaped crystals. They can be found in acidic urine and are commonly associated with conditions such as gout or certain types of kidney stones. Uric acid crystals can also have a rhomboid or barrel shape.