Activity 2.3
Chemical Examination of Urine:
Quality Control

Instructions

1. Practice the procedure for performing a chemical examination of urine following the step-by-step procedure.
   
   
2. Demonstrate your understanding of this lesson by:
   
   
• Completing a written examination successfully
  
  
• Performing the procedure for the chemical examination of urine satisfactorily for the instructor. All steps must be completed as listed.

Note: Consult reagent package inserts for manufacturers' specific instructions before performing tests.

Materials and Equipment

• Gloves
  
  
• Hand disinfectant
  
  
• Fresh urine samples
  
  
• Urine control solutions (normal and abnormal)
  
  
• Reagent strips with color chart
  
  
• Paper towels or laboratory tissues
  
  
• Stopwatch or timer
  
  
• Reagent strip reader (optional)
  
  
• Clear, conical graduated centrifuge tubes
  
  
• Forceps
  
  
• Centrifuge
  
  
• Heat-resistant test tubes, 13 × 100 mm and 16 × 125 mm
  
  
• Test tube clamp
  
  
• Dropping pipets
  
  
• Distilled water
  
  
• 20% sulfosalicylic acid (or 3%)
  
  
• Clinites tablets
  
  
• Acetes tablets
  
  
• Ictotes tablets and absorbent pads
  
  
• Test tube racks
  
  
• Worksheet
  
  
• Urinalysis report forms
  
  
• 10% chlorine bleach solution or other surface disinfectant
  
  
• Biohazard container
  
  
• Protective eyewear
  
  
• Puncture-proof sharps container

Procedure

Record in the comment section any problems encountered while practicing the procedure (or have a fellow student or the instructor evaluate your performance).

1. Wash hands with disinfectant and put on gloves
   
   
2. Assemble equipment and materials
   
   
3. Obtain quality control urine solution(s). If specimen has been refrigerated, allow it to reach room temperature before proceeding. If lyophilized, rehydrate according to manufacturer's directions.
   
   
4. Perform reagent strip test:
   
   
• Dip reagent strip into urine sample, moistening all pads.
  
  
• Remove strip from urine immediately and tap to remove excess urine; blot edge on absorbent paper towels. Begin timing as strip is withdrawn from urine.
  
  
• Observe reagent pads and compare colors to color chart at appropriate time intervals.
  
  
• Record results on urinalysis worksheet.
  
  
• Discard reagent strip into biohazard container.
  
  
• Repeat step 4 if using other levels of urine-control solution(s).
  
  
Note: Urine quality control should be performed on a regular basis according to laboratory protocol. (See Table for suggested timeline). Use quality control solutions with all testing methodology. (See procedures.)


5. If available, retest the urine specimen using a reagent strip reader. Compare the manual test results with those obtained with the strip reader.
   
   
6. Dispose of urine specimen properly, avoiding splashes.
   
   
7. Dispose of test tube contents properly, avoiding splashes.
   
   
8. Clean equipment and return to proper storage.
   
   
9. Clean work area with surface disinfectant.
   
   
10. Remove gloves and discard into biohazard container.
    
    
11. Wash hands with hand disinfectant.