Urinalysis: a review of methods and procedures

There is much value in using urine as a diagnostic aid in the critical care setting. As a noninvasive source of data, urine reveals a wealth of information about the body's biochemical status. It is important for critical care nurses to understand the processes that occur in the renal system and to comprehend the depth of information that can be obtained through an analysis of urine. This discussion provides an overview of common urine tests and provides information for nurses about urine collection methods. The discussion will help the critical care nurse describe various urine test procedures, common urine collection methods, nursing interventions, and patient education important to each study.