Share
Print CPT 81003
Test Details
Turnaround Time
Within 1 day
Use
Detect abnormalities of urine; diagnose and manage renal diseases, urinary tract infection, urinary tract neoplasms, systemic diseases, and inflammatory or neoplastic diseases adjacent to the urinary tract
Test Includes
Color, appearance, specific gravity, pH, protein, glucose, ketones, occult blood, leukocyte esterase, nitrite, bilirubin, and urobilinogen. These tests are done on all routine urinalysis ordered and if protein, leukocyte, occult blood, and nitrites are all negative, microscopic examination is not performed; just the above parameters are reported.
Limitations
Insufficient volume may limit the extent of procedures performed. Metabolites of Pyridium® may interfere with the dipstick reactions by producing color interference. High vitamin C intake may cause an underestimate of glucosuria, or a false-negative nitrite test. Survival of WBCs is decreased by low osmolality, alkalinity, and lack of refrigeration. Sperm is not reported in routine urinalysis exams. Spermatozoa may be seen in male urine related to recent or retrograde ejaculation. For sperm reporting in males only, order Postejaculatory Urine Microscopic Examination for Sperm [133116].
Methodology
Reagent strip
Specimen Requirements
Information on collection, storage, and volume
Specimen
Urine (random)
Volume
3-9 mL (Vacutainer® red/yellow urine transport tube) (preferred) or 2 mL or greater (non-preserved urine)
Minimum Volume
3 mL (Vacutainer® red/yellow urine transport tube) (preferred) or 2 mL (non-preserved urine) (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Vacutainer® red/yellow urine transport tube (preferred) or urine bottle/urine transport tube (non-preserved)
Storage Instructions
Vacutainer® red/yellow urine transport tube: room temperature for up to 72 hours
Urine bottle/urine transport tube (non-preserved): room temperature up to 2 hours and refrigerated up to 48 hours
Causes for Rejection
Quantity not sufficient for analysis; improper labeling; tubes with boric acid or tartaric acid (e.g., BD gray-top C&S tube); Labcorp red-top C&S tube; Boricon, Bortiex, or Boricult yellow-top C&S tubes; urine transport tube with Triclosan; specimen received in Vacutainer® red/yellow urine transport tube more than 72 hours old; specimen received in urine cup stored at room temperature greater than 2 hours old; specimen received in urine cup refrigerated more than 48 hours old; frozen specimens; Vacutainer® red/yellow urine transport tube less than 3 mL or greater than 9 mL
Collection
A voided specimen is usually suitable. If the specimen is likely to be contaminated, a clean-catch, midstream specimen is desirable.