Lesson 1Instrumented urine analyzers: calibration, maintenance, electronic result verification and interfacing with LISThis lesson covers automated urine analysers, including calibration, regular upkeep, self-checks, digital result checks, flag reviews, and safe integration 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 analytes: detailed physiology, analytical principles, and clinical significance of leukocyte esterase, nitrite, protein, glucose, ketones, blood, bilirubin, urobilinogen, pHThis lesson reviews key reagent strip tests, connecting kidney and body physiology to test methods, performance, and clinical meaning, highlighting limits, false results, and result matching.
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 critical value notification proceduresThis lesson sets standards for documenting and reporting physical and chemical urinalysis, covering normal ranges, result notes, critical values, notifications, and record-keeping rules.
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/mitigate themThis lesson tackles common chemical test interferences like oxidants, vitamin C, pigments, and dense urine, offering ways to spot, verify, 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 5Protein semi-quantitation limitations and use of protein/creatinine ratio; interference and false positives/negativesThis lesson explores limits of strip-based protein estimation, false result causes, and the value of protein-creatinine ratio for assessing protein loss in various settings.
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 6Measurement of specific gravity: manual refractometer technique, urinometer basics, and calibration proceduresThis lesson explains specific gravity testing with refractometers and urinometers, including principles, calibration, temperature and protein/sugar adjustments, limits, and osmometer comparisons.
Physical basis of urine specific gravityManual refractometer operation and readingRefractometer calibration and maintenanceUrinometer technique and common errorsProtein and glucose correction factorsComparison with osmolality measurementLesson 7Stepwise reagent strip testing workflow: correct strip handling, sequence of reading timepoints and interpretation windowsThis lesson outlines full reagent strip process: sample mixing, dipping, timed readings, contamination prevention, interpretation periods, and handling doubtful 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 8Standardized visual inspection: assessment of color, clarity/turbidity, odor descriptors and documentationThis lesson standardises urine visual checks, defining colour charts, clarity grades, odour terms, proper lighting/containers, and linking to chemical results.
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 verification, daily QC materials, control limits, recording and corrective actionsThis lesson details reagent strip QC: new batch checks, QC material storage, control ranges, records, trend analysis, and 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: clinical thresholds, interference, and impact of preservation and timingThis lesson focuses on urine glucose and ketones: kidney thresholds, diagnostic levels, interferences, handling, timing, and effects of delays/preservatives.
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
