MLAB 2202 - Urinalysis & Body Fluids

2 sem hrs cr (15 lecture hours/30 laboratory hours)

This course examines the urinary system as related to the routine urinalysis. The component parts of the urinalysis, to include the physical, chemical and microscopic examination, are performed. The course also includes the examination of common types of body fluid. Prerequisite: Program Restriction—Enrollment limited to students admitted to the MLT program

Transfer (UT) or Non-Transfer Course (UN): UN

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to…

• describe the anatomy of the renal system, including the major functional features of the nephron.
• describe the following aspects of renal physiology: glomerular filtration and urine formation, changes in urine volume and solute composition, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
• list the solutes that are both reabsorbed and secreted in the nephron, as well as the location of this activity and its relative effect on the amount of these substances.
• describe the renal pathology and urinalysis findings associated with following aspects of renal disease: metabolic disorders, Fanconi Syndrome, urinary tract infections including non-bacterial organisms found in the urine, vascular disease, and renal calculi formation.
• describe the substances that effect urine color and clarity and explain their clinical significance.
• describe the various chemical tests of urine and identify the limitations inherent to their analysis.
• correlate macroscopic, microscopic, and chemical tests of urine in relation to renal disease and other pathological conditions that affect urinalysis results.
• differentiate the different microscopic techniques and their usefulness in microscopic analysis of urine.
• discuss the utilization of urine creatinine measurements in the assessment of renal function.
• discuss factors that can influence calculi formation (increase in chemical salts, change in pH, urinary stasis).
• list and describe the function of all body fluids, including substances and formed elements that may be found in them in both pathological and non-pathological circumstances.
• utilize quality assurance and quality control methods to insure accurate results of a urinalysis procedure.
• exhibit professionalism, self-motivation, and responsibility.

Competency Assessment-Related Outcomes​

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to…

• demonstrate the practice of universal laboratory safety precautions at all times.
• evaluate the acceptability of urine specimens and be able to instruct others in the proper collection, transport, and handling of urine specimens for urinalysis.
• perform processing of both urine and body fluids specimen to preserve the quality of laboratory testing in accordance to given standard laboratory procedures.
• perform urine and body fluid analyses including gross examination, cell counts, chemical tests, and microscopic morphologic examination.
• demonstrate a satisfactory performance of specific gravity measurements using refractometry.
• demonstrate pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical troubleshooting abilities related to the quality of specimens, reagents, reagent strips, equipment, and testing procedures that can affect urinalysis results.
• properly perform a chemical and microscopic urinalysis on a given specimen and interpret the results for all routine urinalysis tests.
• demonstrate a satisfactory level of competence in the identification of all cells, casts, microorganisms, crystals, precipitates, and other material formations that can be observed in the urine.