2024-05-15
What is a Dipstick or Test Strip Urinalysis?
A urinalysis is a urine test best performed on a full bladder first thing in the morning. An urinalysis checks appearance, concentration, and content of urine and is used to detect and manage a wide range of medical disorders, such as urinary tract infections (UTI's), kidney disease and diabetes. A dipstick, usually a thin, plastic stick with strips of chemicals on it, is coated with urine, the chemical strips will change color if certain substances are present or if certain levels are above, or below, normal which can indicate the presence of compounds like proteins, ketones, hemoglobin, and nitrites, as well as harmful pathogens. Dipstick urinalysis is convenient, but false-positive and false-negative results can occur.No preparation apart from cleansing the area around the urethra (urinary opening) is required for the automated dipstick urinalysis.