Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratory - libdoc.who.int

7. Examination of urine 2337. Examination of urineExamination of urine is a fundamental investigation in patients in whom kidneydisorders or infections of the urinary tract are suspected. There are also many patientswho exhibit no clinical symptoms, but in whom previously unrecognizedurinary tract infections can be diagnosed by urine examination.7.1 Collection of urine specimensContainers for the collection of urine should be wide-mouthed, clean and dry. Ifthe urine specimen has to be transported for any length of time it should contain anappropriate preservative to prevent bacterial overgrowth or hatching of viable ova.7.1.1 Types of urine specimenEarly morning urine specimenEarly morning urine provides the most concentrated sample.Random urine specimenA random urine sample, taken at any time of the day, will enable the laboratory toscreen for substances which are indicators of kidney infection.24-Hour urine specimenThe 24-hour urine specimen is collected in a clear 2-litre bottle with a stopper. Onthe first morning the patient gets up and urinates; this urine is not collected. All theurine passed during the rest of the day and night is collected in the bottle. The nextmorning the patient gets up and collects the first urine of the morning in the bottle.The bottle should then be taken immediately to the laboratory.Measure the volume of urine with a measuring cylinder and record it.Midstream urine specimenWhile passing urine, the patient places an open container in the stream of urineand collects about 20ml of urine. The container should be covered immediately.Terminal urine specimenThe patient urinates the last portion of urine into an open container.Urine specimens collected using a catheterCollection of urine using a catheter must be carried out by a qualified physician ornurse. The procedure is used for certain bacteriological tests, mainly in women.Usually, however, a specimen collected in the normal way following thorough cleansingis acceptable for this purpose.233