Urine dipstick for ketone and sugar
Introduction
The
procedure of urine dipstick is used for patients with diabetes to identify the presence
of sugar and ketone in the urine. Also, a urine dipstick is used for pregnant
women to identify the presence of protein, sugar, ketone, and PH to manage the
pregnant women as early as possible before complications during the pregnancy
period. This test is done by using special strips with different colors and the
results show immediately.
What is a urine dipstick test?
This test
is a quick test that uses strips to identify the abnormality in the urine by
dipping into the urine. Mostly this procedure is done during appointments with
your doctor, midwife, or health professional and the result of the procedure
will be within 60 to 120 seconds. If the urine dipstick procedure is abnormal
the doctor may request another procedure to clarify the findings by doing further
laboratory tests.
Why is a urine dipstick test done?
The urine
dipstick done for many reasons like a routine checkup for pregnant women to
identify any abnormality, to screen or identify if the patient is having
diabetes if the patient is having urine infection, abdominal pain, back pain,
or blood in the urine.
The urine
dipstick test can identify the following; blood in urine, PH level, glucose
level, presence of ketone, protein, level of bilirubin, and leukocytes.
What are the results of a urine dipstick test?
The procedure of urine dipstick can identify the following abnormalities:
Glucose:
It’s a type
of sugar that is found in the urine of patients with diabetes and need
immediate attention and care.
Ketones:
It’s a type
of chemical that the body made when breaking down fat for energy. Ketone must
be absent in the urine, the presence of ketone indicates that the patient
suffering from diabetes and blood sugar level can be found very high. Also, for
pregnant women ketone can be found in the urine and the physician will request
another test to clarify the abnormality.
Protein:
Protein
must not be found in the urine, because the barrier of protein filtration begins
in the glomerulus that is present in the kidney. The albumin sometimes can be
found in the urine during normal pregnancy. This can be called proteinuria and
the doctor will request a further investigation to make sure that the fetus is
safe.
Common Causes of Protein in urine
There were
many causes of protein present in the urine that are; dehydration and fluid
loss from the body, fever and excessive heat injury that cause loss of fluid
from the body and damage to the kidney, inflammatory process that can damage
the kidneys, intense activity and excessive loss of water from the body, most
acute illnesses, and orthostatic or postural disorders.
Equipment needed for urine dipstick:
•
Gloves
•
Urine container
•
Urine strips
Procedure:
•
Identify the patient and explain the procedure
•
Give urine container to the patient
•
Till the patient collects a midstream Urine sample
•
Wash your hands
and wear gloves
•
Dip the test strip into the urine.
•
Turn the strip sideways before reading it.
•
When held in a horizontal position, you
can make sure that the reactive chemicals won’t run from one square to
another.
•
Wait for the results. It can take anywhere
from 30 to 120 seconds for the compounds in the
urine to begin reacting with the reagents on the test squares
•
Compare the test squares to the color
chart.
•
Each package of test strips should come with a
color chart for easy analysis.
•
Keep this chart handy when it comes time to
read the strip.
• Wait for the results. It can take anywhere from 30 to 120 seconds for the compounds in the urine to begin reacting with the reagents on the test squares
•
Compare the test squares to the color
chart.
•
Each package of test strips should come with a
color chart for easy analysis.
•
Keep this chart handy when it comes time to read
the strip.
•
Read the test squares in chronological
order.
•
The squares on a testing strip are designed to
react sequentially
•
Interpret the results carefully.
•
Different colors indicate the presence of
different substances.
•
Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene
•
Document the result