Chemical Reagent Dipsticks: A Case Study

Urine testing can be a useful way to reflect on an individual’s overall health status. Examining the waste products found in urine by using chemical reagent dipsticks can reveal information about the health of a patient (Mulryan, 2011, p. 234). Properly analyzing the chemical reagent dipstick can help aid in the diagnosis of an individual. According to Mulryan (2011), specific tests are found on the reagent dipstick, including, blood, bilirubin, urobilinogen, protein, nitrite, leukocytes, glucose, ketones, pH, and specific gravity. Any abnormal findings with these test results can correlate with a condition within the patient. When observing for blood on the dipstick, a normal result should be negative. This would indicate there is no blood …show more content…
If there is a positive reaction on the dipstick, this would indicate there is conjugated bilirubin present. This could mean that the condition must be post hepatic, which includes conditions such as biliary obstruction, hepatitis, or cirrhosis (Strasinger & Di Lorenzo, 2008, p. 68). Bilirubin is converted to urobilinogen. It’s normal to have less than one mg/dL in the urine. If there is excess urobilinogen in the urine, this correlates with early detection for liver disease or hemolytic disorders (Strasinger & Di Lorenzo, 2008, p. 69). Analyzing abnormal results for bilirubin and urobilinogen can help diagnose liver …show more content…
If the blood glucose level is above the renal threshold of 160-180 mg/dL, the excess will be seen in the urine (Strasinger & Di Lorenzo, 2008, p. 62). One of the most significant findings with high glucose in the urine is diabetes mellitus. The use of the dipstick for screening for glucose has greatly helped diagnose patients with diabetes. Strasinger and Di Lorenzo (2008) reported that the earlier the diabetes is detected, the better the prognosis is for the patient (p. 61). Therefore, urine tests for glucose has greatly helped individuals with diabetes get on the right tract to help control their diabetes before greater problems arise (Strasinger & Di Lorenzo, 2008, p. 61-62). A normal result for ketones in the urine is negative. Some causes for ketones in the urine are fasting, prolonged vomiting, and not enough glucose for the body to create energy. (Mulryan, 2011, p. 238). Holland (2012) reported that large amounts of ketones found in the urine can mean the patient’s diabetes is not being regulated. If the ketones in your body are not corrected, it can cause serious health problems and be poisonous to the body. Using the dipstick is very important in detecting ketones and helping diagnose the patient from potential harmful conditions (Holland,