urinsticka

Urinsticka, or urine dipstick, is a disposable reagent strip used for rapid urinalysis. The strip carries multiple chemical pads that react with constituents in urine to produce color changes. Each pad is designed to detect a specific substance, such as glucose, protein, ketones, bilirubin, urobilinogen, leukocytes, nitrite, pH, blood, and sometimes specific gravity. The tests are used as screening tools and can provide qualitative or semi-quantitative results.

Method and components: After collecting a fresh urine sample, the strip is briefly immersed, then removed and allowed to dry or air-dry. The changes on the pads are read after a defined time by comparing them to a reference color chart. Some modern systems use electronic readers to quantify the color change for more consistent results.

Interpretation: A positive nitrite result can suggest bacterial infection; leukocyte esterase indicates white blood cells in urine; proteinuria may reflect kidney disease; glucosuria can indicate elevated blood glucose; ketones may be present in fasting or diabetic ketoacidosis; bilirubin and urobilinogen relate to liver function; blood in urine can arise from infection, stones, injury, or other conditions. Results are intended for screening and should be interpreted in the context of symptoms and medical history, with confirmatory tests if needed.

Limitations and usage: Results can be affected by urine concentration, timing of reading, vitamin C interference, or improper handling. Urinsticks are commonly used in clinics, urgent care, and home settings for quick health screening and monitoring of conditions such as diabetes and urinary tract infections. Proper storage and adherence to expiration dates are recommended.

See also: Urinalysis, Dipstick test.