What It Is An automated dipstick urinalysis is often done as part of an overall urinalysis, but it can also be done on its own, depending on the doctor’s concerns. Once a urine sample is collected, a nurse or technician will place a specially treated chemical strip (dipstick) into it. …
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Urine Test: Calcium
What It Is A urine calcium test is done to determine how much of the mineral calcium is being excreted in the urine (pee) by the kidneys. Why It’s Done A urine test for calcium is often done to: help find the cause of kidney stones and other kidney diseases detect …
Urine Test: Creatinine
What It Is Creatinine is a waste product that the muscles produce at a steady rate as part of normal daily activity. The bloodstream carries creatinine to the kidneys, which filter it out of the blood, then creatinine passes out of the body in the urine (pee). A urine creatinine …
Urine Test: Dipstick
What It Is A urine dipstick test is often done as part of an overall urinalysis, but it also can be done on its own, depending on the doctor’s concerns. Once a urine sample is collected, a nurse or technician will place a specially treated chemical strip (dipstick) into your …
Urine Test: Microalbumin-to-Creatinine Ratio
What It Is A microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio urine test involves measuring the amount of a protein called albumin in the urine (pee). The amount of urine albumin is compared with the quantity of a waste product in the urine called creatinine. The body normally filters out creatinine in the urine at …
Urine Test: Microscopic Urinalysis
What It Is Microscopic urinalysis is often done as part of an overall urinalysis. After a urine (pee) sample is collected, it’s put into a centrifuge — a special machine that separates the liquid in the urine from any solid components that may be present, such as blood cells, mineral crystals, …
Urine Test: Protein
What It Is A urine protein test measures the total amount of protein in the urine. Once a urine sample is collected, the lab determines the amount of protein in the urine sample. This test is often done as part of a routine urinalysis in which several chemicals in the …
Urine Test: Routine Culture
What It Is A routine urine culture detects the amount of germs (microorganisms like bacteria) present in the urine. Once a urine sample is collected, a technician will keep it in conditions where microorganisms can multiply. Normally, no more than a small number of germs will be in the urine …
Urine Tests
Doctors order urine tests for kids to make sure that the kidneys and certain other organs are working as they should, or when they think that a child might have an infection in the kidneys, bladder, or other parts of the urinary tract. The kidneys make urine (pee) as they …
What Is Informed Consent?
My son is having surgery in a few weeks. The nurses have given us pamphlets and educational materials to learn more about it, in preparation for something called “informed consent.” What does this mean? – Ned Informed consent is a legal term. It means that you are fully aware of …