CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

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ESSENTIALS OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
In the Lab
Reporting of Results
1. Report casts as the average number of casts seen per LPF. Differentiate and
quantify the various different types of casts as hyaline, cellular, fatty, or waxy.
2. Report RBCs as the average number of RBCs seen per HPF. If more than 100
RBCs/ HPF are seen, report as >100/HPF or too numerous to count (TNTC).
3. Report WBCs as the average number of WBCs seen per HPF. If more than100
WBCs/HPF are seen, report as >100/HPF or TNTC. A range is reported but should
never be wider than 5 cells (for example, 7–10 cells/HPF).
4. Report other cellular or formed elements as few, moderate, or many. Use
Tables 12-4 and 12-5 as the protocol for estimating microscopic components and
enumeration of them. Values are provided for the majority of formed elements
that may be encountered in the typical urinalysis department.
Table 12-4 Urine Sediment Microscopic Report
Element Few Moderate Many
Crystals 0–4/HPF 5–10/HPF >10/HPF
Bacteria 0–25/HPF 25–50/HPF >50/HPF
Yeast 0–25/HPF 25–50/HPF >50/HPF
Epithelial Cells 0–4/HPF 5–10/HPF >10/HPF
Casts † Number/HPF Number/HPF Number/HPF
†
The absence of casts is normal. Under certain conditions, hyaline casts may be present for a short time.
Table 12-5 Normal (Reference) Levels and Conditions for Cellular Microscopic Elements
Components Reference Values Conditions Interferences
RBCs 0–4/HPF Normal concentration of urine Hypotonic urine will cause RBC breakdown
WBCs 0–4/HPF May be broken down Yields positive leukoesterase values in
chemistry (dipstick) evaluation
Squamous epithelial cells Rare to few Higher in females
Renal and tubular
epithelial cells
Negative
May indicate kidney
involvement
Bacteria Negative May indicate urinary tract
infection
Yeasts Negative Antibiotics use, diabetes,
compromised immune system
Trichomonas None Sexually transmitted protozoa
Ova of parasites None Fecal contamination
Contaminated containers and non–cleancatch
or catheterized samples
Spermatazoa None Prostatitis in males Never reported in females except in cases of
possible sexual assault
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