Lesson 1Instrumented urine analyzers: calibration, maintenance, electronic result verification and interfacing with LISThis part go cover automated urine analyzers, including calibration, routine maintenance, internal checks, electronic result verification, flag review, and secure interfacing with the laboratory 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 part go review each major reagent strip analyte, linking kidney and body physiology to analytical principles, expected performance, and clinical interpretation, with stress on limitations, false results, and correlating results.
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 part go define documentation and reporting standards for physical and chemical urinalysis, including reference intervals, result comments, critical values, notification procedures, and keeping records as per regulations.
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 part go address common interferences and artifacts in chemical testing, like oxidizing agents, ascorbic acid, pigments, and highly concentrated urine, and provide strategies to detect, confirm, and reduce their impact.
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 part go examine limitations of protein semi-quantitation by strips, sources of false results, and the role of protein/creatinine ratio for better assessment of proteinuria in various clinical and preanalytical 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 6Measurement of specific gravity: manual refractometer technique, urinometer basics, and calibration proceduresThis part go explain specific gravity measurement using refractometers and urinometers, covering principles, calibration, temperature and protein/glucose corrections, limitations in extreme osmolality, 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 7Stepwise reagent strip testing workflow: correct strip handling, sequence of reading timepoints and interpretation windowsThis part go outline the complete reagent strip workflow, including mixing specimen, immersing strip, timing of readings, avoiding contamination, interpretation windows, and documenting invalid or questionable 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 part go standardize visual urine inspection, defining color scales, clarity and turbidity categories, odor descriptors, and proper lighting and containers, while stressing consistent documentation and correlation with 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 verification, daily QC materials, control limits, recording and corrective actionsThis part go detail quality control for reagent strips, including new lot verification, selection and storage of QC materials, establishing control limits, documentation, trend review, and appropriate corrective actions.
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 part go focus on urine glucose and ketones, describing kidney thresholds, diagnostic cutoffs, major interferences, specimen handling, timing of collection, and how preservation and delays alter measured concentrations.
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
