Nephrology - Lab Exercise
Nephrology - Lab Exercise
Completion requirements
**LAB EXERCISE TITLE:** Nephrology Laboratory Session: Urine Analysis and Renal Function Testing
**DURATION:** 2-3 hours
**GROUP SIZE:** 4-6 students
**DIFFICULTY LEVEL:** Intermediate
**LAB EXERCISE INFORMATION:**
This laboratory exercise is designed to provide hands-on experience in performing urine analysis and renal function testing, essential skills for nephrology professionals. Students will learn how to collect, process, and interpret urine samples, as well as understand the clinical relevance of these tests.
**LEARNING OBJECTIVES:**
1. Collect and process urine samples correctly
2. Perform basic urine analysis (visual inspection, pH measurement)
3. Conduct renal function testing (creatinine clearance, urea dilution test)
4. Interpret laboratory results in a clinical context
5. Understand the importance of urinary electrolyte balance
6. Recognize common causes of acute kidney injury
7. Demonstrate proper safety procedures when handling hazardous materials
**BACKGROUND & THEORY:**
Urine analysis and renal function testing are crucial diagnostic tools for nephrology professionals. Urine samples provide valuable information about a patient's renal function, electrolyte balance, and overall health. Understanding the laboratory results requires knowledge of normal values, clinical correlations, and potential causes of abnormal findings.
Renal function tests assess the kidneys' ability to filter waste products from the blood. Creatinine clearance and urea dilution test are commonly used tests to evaluate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and estimate renal function.
**MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT:**
* Urine collection containers
* pH paper or pH meter
* Urinalysis dipsticks (albumin, protein, glucose)
* Automated analyser or manual urinalysis kit
* Creatinine clearance test kit
* Urea dilution test kit
* Safety gloves
* Lab coat or gown
* Patient simulators or models (optional)
**PROCEDURE / PROTOCOL:**
1. **Preparation** (10 minutes):
* Review laboratory procedures and safety protocols.
* Ensure proper lab attire and hygiene.
2. **Urine Collection** (15 minutes):
* Collect a mid-stream urine sample in a sterile container.
* Label the sample with patient information and date.
3. **Visual Inspection** (5 minutes):
* Observe the urine sample for color, clarity, and presence of blood or pus.
* Record observations on a data sheet.
4. **pH Measurement** (5 minutes):
* Use pH paper or pH meter to determine the urine pH.
* Record results on a data sheet.
5. **Urine Analysis Dipsticks** (10 minutes):
* Perform basic urinalysis using dipsticks for albumin, protein, and glucose.
* Record results on a data sheet.
6. **Automated Analyser or Manual Urinalysis Kit** (20 minutes):
* Use an automated analyser to perform comprehensive urinalysis.
* Alternatively, complete manual urinalysis using the kit.
7. **Creatinine Clearance Test** (30 minutes):
* Collect urine samples at specified intervals (e.g., 0, 1, and 2 hours).
* Use a creatinine clearance test kit to estimate GFR.
8. **Urea Dilution Test** (30 minutes):
* Collect urine samples at specified intervals (e.g., 0, 1, and 2 hours).
* Use a urea dilution test kit to estimate GFR.
**DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS:**
* Record all laboratory results on data sheets or laboratory information systems.
* Analyze results using standard reference values.
* Interpret findings in the context of clinical symptoms and medical history.
**CLINICAL CORRELATIONS:**
* Urine analysis is essential for diagnosing urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and other conditions.
* Renal function tests are critical for monitoring patients with chronic kidney disease or acute kidney injury.
* Electrolyte balance and acid-base disturbances can have significant clinical implications.
**POST-LAB QUESTIONS:**
1. What is the normal range for urine pH?
2. How does creatinine clearance test estimate GFR?
3. What are common causes of urinary tract infections?
4. How do you interpret albuminuria results?
5. What are potential consequences of electrolyte imbalances?
**ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:**
* Checklist of skills demonstrated:
+ Correctly collect and process urine samples
+ Perform basic urinalysis using dipsticks
+ Use automated analyser or manual urinalysis kit
+ Conduct creatinine clearance test
+ Perform urea dilution test
* Grading rubric:
+ Accuracy (70-100%)
+ Completeness (80-100%)
+ Safety (90-100%)
**REFERENCES & RESOURCES:**
* American Academy of Medical Directors. (2020). Laboratory Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Kidney Disease.
* National Kidney Foundation. (2020). Renal Function Tests.
Video demonstrations:
* Automated analyser operation
* Creatinine clearance test procedure
* Urea dilution test kit instructions
Further reading:
* "Urine Analysis" by John M. Wiggins, 5th ed. (2019)
* "Renal Function Testing" by the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
**DURATION:** 2-3 hours
**GROUP SIZE:** 4-6 students
**DIFFICULTY LEVEL:** Intermediate
**LAB EXERCISE INFORMATION:**
This laboratory exercise is designed to provide hands-on experience in performing urine analysis and renal function testing, essential skills for nephrology professionals. Students will learn how to collect, process, and interpret urine samples, as well as understand the clinical relevance of these tests.
**LEARNING OBJECTIVES:**
1. Collect and process urine samples correctly
2. Perform basic urine analysis (visual inspection, pH measurement)
3. Conduct renal function testing (creatinine clearance, urea dilution test)
4. Interpret laboratory results in a clinical context
5. Understand the importance of urinary electrolyte balance
6. Recognize common causes of acute kidney injury
7. Demonstrate proper safety procedures when handling hazardous materials
**BACKGROUND & THEORY:**
Urine analysis and renal function testing are crucial diagnostic tools for nephrology professionals. Urine samples provide valuable information about a patient's renal function, electrolyte balance, and overall health. Understanding the laboratory results requires knowledge of normal values, clinical correlations, and potential causes of abnormal findings.
Renal function tests assess the kidneys' ability to filter waste products from the blood. Creatinine clearance and urea dilution test are commonly used tests to evaluate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and estimate renal function.
**MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT:**
* Urine collection containers
* pH paper or pH meter
* Urinalysis dipsticks (albumin, protein, glucose)
* Automated analyser or manual urinalysis kit
* Creatinine clearance test kit
* Urea dilution test kit
* Safety gloves
* Lab coat or gown
* Patient simulators or models (optional)
**PROCEDURE / PROTOCOL:**
1. **Preparation** (10 minutes):
* Review laboratory procedures and safety protocols.
* Ensure proper lab attire and hygiene.
2. **Urine Collection** (15 minutes):
* Collect a mid-stream urine sample in a sterile container.
* Label the sample with patient information and date.
3. **Visual Inspection** (5 minutes):
* Observe the urine sample for color, clarity, and presence of blood or pus.
* Record observations on a data sheet.
4. **pH Measurement** (5 minutes):
* Use pH paper or pH meter to determine the urine pH.
* Record results on a data sheet.
5. **Urine Analysis Dipsticks** (10 minutes):
* Perform basic urinalysis using dipsticks for albumin, protein, and glucose.
* Record results on a data sheet.
6. **Automated Analyser or Manual Urinalysis Kit** (20 minutes):
* Use an automated analyser to perform comprehensive urinalysis.
* Alternatively, complete manual urinalysis using the kit.
7. **Creatinine Clearance Test** (30 minutes):
* Collect urine samples at specified intervals (e.g., 0, 1, and 2 hours).
* Use a creatinine clearance test kit to estimate GFR.
8. **Urea Dilution Test** (30 minutes):
* Collect urine samples at specified intervals (e.g., 0, 1, and 2 hours).
* Use a urea dilution test kit to estimate GFR.
**DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS:**
* Record all laboratory results on data sheets or laboratory information systems.
* Analyze results using standard reference values.
* Interpret findings in the context of clinical symptoms and medical history.
**CLINICAL CORRELATIONS:**
* Urine analysis is essential for diagnosing urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and other conditions.
* Renal function tests are critical for monitoring patients with chronic kidney disease or acute kidney injury.
* Electrolyte balance and acid-base disturbances can have significant clinical implications.
**POST-LAB QUESTIONS:**
1. What is the normal range for urine pH?
2. How does creatinine clearance test estimate GFR?
3. What are common causes of urinary tract infections?
4. How do you interpret albuminuria results?
5. What are potential consequences of electrolyte imbalances?
**ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:**
* Checklist of skills demonstrated:
+ Correctly collect and process urine samples
+ Perform basic urinalysis using dipsticks
+ Use automated analyser or manual urinalysis kit
+ Conduct creatinine clearance test
+ Perform urea dilution test
* Grading rubric:
+ Accuracy (70-100%)
+ Completeness (80-100%)
+ Safety (90-100%)
**REFERENCES & RESOURCES:**
* American Academy of Medical Directors. (2020). Laboratory Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Kidney Disease.
* National Kidney Foundation. (2020). Renal Function Tests.
Video demonstrations:
* Automated analyser operation
* Creatinine clearance test procedure
* Urea dilution test kit instructions
Further reading:
* "Urine Analysis" by John M. Wiggins, 5th ed. (2019)
* "Renal Function Testing" by the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
Last modified: Sunday, 9 November 2025, 5:47 PM