ASCP Urinalysis and Body Fluids 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which urine dipstick pad detects the presence of leukocyte esterase, indicating:
- Hematuria
- Pyuria (white blood cells in urine) (Correct answer)
- Glucosuria
- Proteinuria
Correct answer: Pyuria (white blood cells in urine)
Leukocyte esterase is released by lysed neutrophils; a positive result suggests pyuria and possible urinary tract infection.
Question 2: Normal urine specific gravity ranges from:
- 1.000–1.005
- 1.001–1.035 (Correct answer)
- 1.040–1.060
- 0.990–1.000
Correct answer: 1.001–1.035
Normal urine specific gravity is 1.001–1.035, reflecting the kidney's ability to concentrate and dilute urine.
Question 3: Waxy casts in urine sediment indicate:
- Early acute tubular necrosis
- Severe chronic renal failure (Correct answer)
- Mild proteinuria
- Recent vigorous exercise
Correct answer: Severe chronic renal failure
Waxy casts form in dilated, atrophied tubules from long-standing nephron obstruction and indicate advanced chronic renal failure.
Question 4: A urine dipstick positive for blood but negative microscopy for RBCs suggests:
- Bacterial contamination
- Hemoglobinuria or myoglobinuria (Correct answer)
- Ascorbic acid interference
- Normal finding
Correct answer: Hemoglobinuria or myoglobinuria
The dipstick detects hemoglobin and myoglobin; free hemoglobin (hemolysis) or myoglobin (rhabdomyolysis) gives a positive without intact RBCs.
Question 5: Clue cells seen in vaginal wet prep are characteristic of:
- Trichomonas vaginalis infection
- Bacterial vaginosis (Gardnerella vaginalis) (Correct answer)
- Candida vaginitis
- Normal Lactobacillus-dominant flora
Correct answer: Bacterial vaginosis (Gardnerella vaginalis)
Clue cells are squamous epithelial cells covered with Gardnerella vaginalis, obliterating the cell border in bacterial vaginosis.
Question 6: Which casts are pathognomonic for nephrotic syndrome?
- Hyaline casts
- Fatty casts and oval fat bodies (Correct answer)
- Granular casts
- WBC casts
Correct answer: Fatty casts and oval fat bodies
Fatty casts and oval fat bodies (lipid-laden tubular cells) appear in nephrotic syndrome due to massive proteinuria and lipiduria.
ASCP Urinalysis and Body Fluids 1
Which urine dipstick pad detects the presence of leukocyte esterase, indicating: