Urinalysis

Excerpt

Urinalysis is the examination of urine for certain physical properties, solutes, cells, casts, crystals, organisms, or particulate matter. Because urinalysis is easy, cheap, and productive, it is recommended as part of the initial examination of all patients and should be repeated as clinically warranted. This chapter focuses on what the physician may do in a few minutes with a urine sample, reagent strips, a microscope, and an inquiring mind. Such analysis may lead to more sophisticated chemical, immunologic, or bacteriologic studies.