How to perform a urinalysis.
RATIONALE AND KEY POINTS: This article aims to help nurses to undertake a urinalysis in a safe, timely, effective and patient-centred manner, ensuring privacy and dignity. Urinalysis is a common clinical procedure involving examination of urine to detect problems in the body. ▶ Urinalysis should be carried out by competent healthcare practitioners. ▶ Urinalysis is a simple, cost-effective tool which can be performed for screening, diagnosis and management of conditions, because urine might undergo several changes as an individual becomes unwell. ▶ Urinalysis is an essential component of the holistic and symptomatic assessment of any individual in poor health. ▶ The healthcare practitioner should explain the procedure to patients. ▶ The healthcare practitioner should document relevant findings. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: Clinical skills articles can help update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: 1. How reading this article will change your practice. 2. The learning points you have identified, and how you can dissesminate these points to your colleagues. 3. Any further learning needs you have identified. Subscribers can upload their reflective accounts at: rcni.com/portfolio.
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, England.
Alison
A
Bardsley
D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D016482:Urinalysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing
clinical procedures; clinical skills; patient-centred care; urinalysis