Lesson 1Automated urine analysers: calibration, upkeep, checking electronic results, and linking to LISThis lesson covers automatic urine machines, including setup, regular upkeep, built-in checks, result verification, flags, and safe links to the lab information system.
Principles of automated strip readersCalibration procedures and frequencyDaily and periodic maintenance tasksInternal checks and electronic QC flagsResult validation and delta checksLIS connectivity, mapping, and downtimeLesson 2Reagent strip tests: body processes, testing principles, and health meaning of leukocyte esterase, nitrite, protein, glucose, ketones, blood, bilirubin, urobilinogen, pHThis lesson reviews main reagent strip tests, connecting kidney and body processes to testing, expected results, and health meaning, stressing limits, wrong results, and linking findings.
Leukocyte esterase: source, reaction, false resultsNitrite: bacterial conversion, sensitivity limitsProtein: albumin bias, pH and salt effectsGlucose: renal threshold and strip chemistryKetones: acetoacetate focus and omissionsBlood: hematuria, hemoglobinuria, myoglobinuriaLesson 3Records and reporting rules for physical and chemical results, including notifying critical valuesThis lesson sets records and reporting for physical and chemical urinalysis, including normal ranges, result notes, critical values, notification steps, and keeping records as required.
Standardized units and reference intervalsStructured reporting of color and clarityUse of interpretive and cautionary commentsDefining and listing critical urine valuesCritical value notification and escalationRecord retention and audit trail needsLesson 4Interferences and false results in chemical tests (oxidants, vitamin C, very strong urine) and how to spot/fix themThis lesson covers common interferences in chemical tests like oxidants, vitamin C, colours, and strong urine, with ways to spot, confirm, and reduce their effects.
Oxidizing cleaners and peroxide residuesAscorbic acid impact on blood and glucose padsPigmented drugs and food color interferenceHighly concentrated or dilute urine effectsConfirmatory tests to resolve discrepanciesPreventive measures in specimen collectionLesson 5Limits of semi-measuring protein and using protein/creatinine ratio; interferences and wrong positives/negativesThis lesson looks at limits of strip protein measurement, wrong result causes, and protein/creatinine ratio for better protein checks in different health and sample contexts.
Protein error of indicators: strip chemistrypH, concentration, and drug interferencesFalse positives from disinfectants and mucusFalse negatives in nonalbumin proteinuriaSpot protein/creatinine ratio principlesClinical use in monitoring kidney diseaseLesson 6Measuring specific gravity: manual refractometer method, urinometer basics, and setup stepsThis lesson explains specific gravity using refractometers and urinometers, covering principles, setup, temperature and protein/glucose fixes, limits in odd concentrations, and osmometer comparison.
Physical basis of urine specific gravityManual refractometer operation and readingRefractometer calibration and maintenanceUrinometer technique and common errorsProtein and glucose correction factorsComparison with osmolality measurementLesson 7Step-by-step reagent strip testing: right handling, reading times, and interpretation periodsThis lesson outlines full reagent strip process, including mixing sample, dipping strip, reading times, avoiding dirt, interpretation periods, and noting bad or unsure results.
Specimen mixing and preanalytical checksCorrect strip storage and handling practicesImmersion depth, time, and excess removalTiming each pad and avoiding cross contaminationReading color changes within set windowsCriteria for repeating or rejecting a testLesson 8Standard visual check: assessing colour, clarity/turbidity, smell descriptions and recordsThis lesson standardises visual urine checks, defining colour types, clarity and cloudiness levels, smell types, and good lighting/containers, stressing steady records and chemical links.
Standard lighting and background requirementsColor terminology and reference chartsClarity and turbidity grading criteriaCommon causes of abnormal urine colorsOdor descriptors and clinical relevanceRecording visual findings in the LISLesson 9Quality control for reagent strips: checking new batches, daily QC items, limits, recording and fixesThis lesson details QC for reagent strips, including new batch checks, picking and storing QC items, setting limits, records, trend checks, and right fixes.
New lot parallel testing and acceptanceSelection of levels and types of QC materialFrequency of QC and run acceptance rulesLevey–Jennings charts and trend detectionDocumentation of QC failures and actionsStaff training and competency in QCLesson 10Glucose and ketones: health levels, interferences, and effects of preserving and timingThis lesson focuses on urine glucose and ketones, describing kidney levels, diagnosis points, main interferences, sample handling, collection timing, and how preserving/delays change amounts.
Renal threshold and tubular handling of glucoseClinical ranges for glycosuria interpretationKetone production in fasting and ketoacidosisChemical principles of glucose and ketone padsEffects of storage time and temperatureAscorbic acid and other interfering substances
