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

Exercise 13

A 2-year-old left unattended in the garage for 5 minutes is suspected of ingesting antifreeze (ethylene glycol). The urinalysis has a pH of 6.0 and is negative on the chemical examination. Two distinct forms of crystals are observed in the microscopic examination.

a. What type of crystals would you expect to be present?

b. What is the other form of this crystal?

c. Describe the two forms.

d. Which form would you expect to be predominant?

Step 1 of 4

a.

Crystal expected in urine specimen is calcium oxalate.

• Monohydrate calcium oxalate is noticed in the cases of antifreeze component ethylene glycol poisoning

• Monohydrate calcium oxalate crystals are often seen in pets, and children, because antifreeze is sweet in taste

• Uncovered containers kept in garage are very tempting. Hence, the children unknowingly intake the antifreeze