Dipstick urinalysis serves as a diagnostic test for doctors. The test, which involves placing a dipstick in a patient's urine sample, can indicate numerous medical conditions. The dipsticks can test for the presence of glucose, ketones, leukocytes, protein and nitrites as well as determining pH level urine density, the University of Utah School of Medicine reports. Medical professionals receive training on how to use and interpret test results. Without this training, results of the urinalysis may not be meaningful or interpreted correctly.
Step 1
Instruct your patient to provide a urine sample in a specimen cup. A clean-catch specimen collected from the middle of the urine stream is recommended, the American Academy of Family Physicians reports.
Step 2
Place a fresh pair of medical gloves on your hands.
Step 3
Collect the urine sample from the patient.
Step 4
Mix the urine sample thoroughly prior to performing the urinalysis, Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center advises. Mixing the sample well helps prevent inaccurate results.
Step 5
Remove one test strip from the package of dipsticks, taking care not to contaminate it prior to the urinalysis.
Step 6
Place the dipstick in the urine so all the reagent areas where the reactions will occur become completely immersed.
Step 7
Remove the dipstick from the urine sample and hold it horizontally so chemical reagents do not contaminate other areas of the dipstick.
Step 8
Move the strip near the color reaction chart that comes with the dipsticks while still holding it horizontally.
Step 9
Compare the results on the dipstick to the color results chart at the time specified for what you are testing. The color values will indicate the concentration of various substances in the urine. Dipstick urinalysis results must be interpreted at specific times or the results are not valid, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School reports. For example, the glucose test must be read at 30 seconds, the specific gravity results must be read at 45 seconds, and protein and nitrite levels must be interpreted at 60 seconds.
Step 10
Record the data collected from the dipstick on a results log and in the patient's chart or file.
Tips and Warnings
- Dipstick urinalysis can yield false-negative and false-positive results, the American Academy of Family Physicians reports. Because of this possibility, test results should be verified with a second urinalysis or another diagnostic test. Urinalysis should be performed as soon as possible after the specimen is collected to avoid cross-contamination and problems with exposure to the room temperature, the Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center recommends.
Things You'll Need
- Urine specimen cup
- Medical gloves
- Urinalysis dipstick
- Color results chart that comes with the dipsticks
- Results log
- Patient chart
