Lesson 1Automated urine analyzers: calibration, maintenance, electronic result checks and linking with LISThis part covers automated urine machines, including calibration, regular maintenance, internal checks, electronic verification, flag review, and safe linking with 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: detailed body functions, testing principles, and clinical meaning of leukocyte esterase, nitrite, protein, glucose, ketones, blood, bilirubin, urobilinogen, pHThis part reviews each main reagent strip test, connecting kidney and body functions to testing principles, expected results, and clinical meaning, stressing limits, false 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 3Documentation and reporting standards for physical and chemical results, including notifying critical valuesThis part defines standards for documenting and reporting 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 artifacts in chemical testing (oxidizing agents, ascorbic acid, highly concentrated urine) and how to detect and reduce themThis part addresses common interferences in chemical testing, like oxidizing agents, ascorbic acid, pigments, and strong urine, and gives ways to detect, 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 protein semi-quantitation and use of protein/creatinine ratio; interferences and false positives/negativesThis part looks at limits of protein testing by strips, causes of false results, and the role of protein/creatinine ratio for better checking proteinuria in different clinical and pre-testing situations.
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 calibration stepsThis part explains measuring specific gravity with refractometers and urinometers, covering principles, calibration, temperature and protein/glucose adjustments, limits in extreme cases, and comparison with osmometry.
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 workflow: correct handling, reading times and interpretation periodsThis part outlines the full reagent strip process, including mixing sample, dipping strip, timing readings, avoiding contamination, interpretation periods, and noting invalid or unclear 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 inspection: checking color, clarity/turbidity, odor descriptions and documentationThis part standardizes visual urine checks, defining color scales, clarity and turbidity types, odor descriptions, and proper lighting and containers, stressing consistent records and linking to chemical findings.
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: lot checks, daily QC materials, control limits, recording and fixesThis part details quality control for reagent strips, including new lot checks, choosing and storing QC materials, setting control limits, documentation, trend review, and corrective steps.
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: clinical levels, interferences, and effects of preservation and timingThis part focuses on urine glucose and ketones, describing kidney levels, diagnostic cutoffs, main interferences, sample handling, collection timing, and how preservation and delays change measured 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
