CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

CHAPTER 12: PROCEDURES FOR URINALYSIS AND BODY FLUIDS 295
Findings in the urinary sediment commonly include
red and white blood cells, epithelial cells, and sometimes
crystals, depending on the patient’s medical
condition. Microscopic examination requires a great
deal of care in preparing the sample and in conducting
the visual analysis of the sediment. A number of
standardized systems are available for preparing a
systematic microscopic examination and analysis of
a urine sample (Figure 12-10). These systems quantify
the amount of urine that is used for centrifuging
and preparing sediment from the sample for microscopic
evaluation.
FIGURE 12-10 StatSpin CenSlide standardized urinalysis system.
In Figure 12-11, the steps required for preparing
the specimen for microscopic analysis are pre-
Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.
sented. There are several varieties of systems for systematizing the microscopic
examination, where a set volume of urine is centrifuged and a certain volume of
the resuspended sediment is stained and examined by microscope.
A
B
C
FIGURE 12-11 Preparing specimens for microscopic analysis. (A) Pouring off supernatant from centrifuge tube. (B) Staining urine
sediment in preparation for microscopic examination. (C) Loading chambers of a specially designed slide. (D) Placing samples
on the stage of the microscope.
Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.
D
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