Urinalysis Lab report

Areeba Masroor

BIO 2312 – OL23Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

2:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Introduction

The human body is an amazing machine which continuously carries out many processes

every day, and like most machines, it needs energy in order to function. Most of this energy is

derived through the consumption of food. It is very good at filtering and extracting necessary

resources it requires. Food is processed by the digestive system, which extracts water and

compresses waste products. The urinary system is responsible for the excretion of liquid waste.

The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Urine is formed

in the kidneys when blood is filtered through the nephrons. The urine is then transferred to the

bladder via the ureters where it is temporarily stored in the muscular sac. During urination, the

urine travels from the bladder through the urethra where it is excreted from the body.

A urinalysis is a clinical test of a sample of urine. Completing one is useful in diagnosing

a variety of underlying diseases, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney diseases (such as

kidney stones), and even diabetes. There is a multitude of tests and examinations involved in a

urinalysis, including analyzing the sample’s appearance, concentration, and content. Through

several chemical tests, it is possible to identify various properties and composition of the sample,

including the pH, the presence of organic and non-organic compounds, and specific gravity of

the sample. Abnormalities in the sample are what help identify disease. For example, the

presence of blood in the sample is indicative of a UTI.

The purpose of this lab is to analyze and compare a normal urine sample with abnormal

samples and compose a diagnosis of the varying results found.

Materials and Methods

Disposable gloves

“Normal urine” sample

“Specimens/ abnormal urine” sample

Wide-range pH paper

Urinometer

Test tubes

Test rack

Test tube holders

10cc graduated cylinders

Test reagents for sulfates: 10%

barium chloride solution, diluted

hydrochloric acid (HCl)

Hot plate

500 ml beaker

Test reagents for phosphates: dilute

nitric acid (HNO3) diluted

ammonium molybdate

Glass stirring rod

Test reagents for chloride: 3.0%

silver nitrate solution (AgNO3)

Test reagents for urea: concentrated

nitric acid dropper bottle

Test reagent for glucose

Timer

For this lab, prepare dipsticks and perform chemical tests to determine the characteristics

of a normal urine sample along with the abnormal urine samples. The normal urine sample

will be the standard to examine and compare the other sample to. Record observations and

complete the chart for each sample provided.

Identify the physical characteristics of urine in terms of color, transparency and odor.

Using the pH paper determine the pH for each sample. Determine the specific gravity/

density of the urine samples using the urinometer cylinder and float. Fill the urinometer

cylinder two-thirds with a well-mixed content form the urine sample.

Identifying inorganic constitutes in the urine samples:

Sulfate: Using a 10-cc graduated cylinder, add 5 ml of urine to a test tube, and then add a few

drops of dilute hydrochloric acid and 2 ml of 10% barium chloride solution. Formation of white

precipitate indicates sulfate is present in the sample. (Marieb, Mitchell, Smith, 2014)

Phosphate: Obtain a hot plate and a 500-ml beaker. To prepare the hot water bath, half fill the

beaker with tap water and heat it on the hot plate. Add 5 ml of urine to a test tube, and then add

three or four drops of dilute nitric acid and 3 ml of ammonium molybdate. Mix well with a glass

stirring rod, and then heat gently in a hot water bath. Formation of a yellow precipitate indicates

the presence of phosphates in the sample. (Marieb, Mitchell, Smith, 2014)

Chlorides: Place 5 ml of urine in a test tube and add several drops of silver nitrate. The

appearance of a white precipitate (silver chloride) is a positive test for chlorides. (Marieb,

Mitchell, Smith, 2014)

Nitrates: Use the dipstick to test for nitrites.

Identifying organic constituents in the urine sample with the dipstick: Glucose, Ketones,

Blood/Hemoglobin, Bilirubin, Leukocytes, Urobilinogen

Results

Discussion and Conclusion

The standard urine sample provided in the lab matches all the normal values of normal

values of the chart. Compared to the normal sample provided there was apparent deviation of

physical characteristics observed in the abnormal sample 1. The color was dark comparatively

and less transparent. The pH and the specific gravity were within normal ranges. Organic

components, glucose, ketone, hemoglobin, and bilirubin were found in the abnormal sample 1.

Abnormal sample 2 was had a less obvious difference in appearance from the normal

sample urine. The color was slightly more yellow. The level of transparency observed for both

samples were the same, slightly cloudy. Although the pH of the second sample was much higher,

above the normal range, 8.5. The average pH value of urine is 6.0, which is acidic. A high

vegetation diet may be responsible for the increase in the alkalinity of the urine, another

possibility is a bacterial infection in the urinary tract. The specific gravity of the second urine

sample was within the range of the normal values, 1.005. The second urine sample had positive

results for glucose, hemoglobin, bilirubin, and ictotest.

The presence of high amount of glucose indicates high blood sugar levels, a condition

known as glycosuria. This individual might be experiencing diabetes. Both abnormal samples 1

and 2 showed positive results for the presence of ketone. Finding trace amounts of ketone bodies

in urine is not abnormal, however the presences of high amounts of ketonuria indicates

occurrence of abnormal metabolic processes. This can be due to a low food intake or a new diet.

In addition to glycosuria, the finding of ketonuria often leads to the diagnosis of diabetes

mellitus.

Finding of blood in urine most often indicates abnormality in the urinary tract, the cause

can be an infection, a tumor, or kidney stones. However, if blood is found in the urine of a

female patient another possibility to consider is that she can be menstruating. “Hemoglobinuria

indicates various pathological conditions including hemolytic anemias, transfusion reactions,

burns, poisonous snake bites, or renal disease.” (Marieb, Mitchell, Smith, 2014). Both urine

samples, 1 and 2 show positive results for bilirubin. This indicates abnormalities pertaining to the

liver. Based on the results we can narrow a diagnosis for both urine samples.

References

Marieb, Elaine Nicpon, et al. Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Manual: Fetal Pig Version. 11th ed., Pearson, 2014.