Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 4

A medical technology student training in a newly renovated STAT laboratory is having difficulty performing a microscopic urinalysis. Reagent strip testing indicates the presence of moderate blood and leukocytes, but the student is also observing some large unusual objects resembling crystals and possible casts. The student is also having difficulty keeping all of the constituents in focus at the same time.

a. Why is the student having difficulty focusing?

b. What is a possible cause of the unusual microscopic constituents?

c. Should the student be concerned about the unusual microscopic constituents? Explain your answer.

d. What microscopy technique could be used to aid in differentiating a cast and an artifact?

Step 1 of 4

a.

Observation of unusual large objects in different plane resembling casts, and crystals along with the urinary constituents made it difficult for the student to focus.