Checklist
| Preparation | Wash – Name – Explain | |
| Clean preparation surface | ||
| Gather equipment | Wash hands | |
| Urine sample | ||
| Urinalysis strips | ||
| Urine pregnancy test | ||
| Paper towel | ||
| Timer | ||
| Urinalysis | Wash hands and put on gloves | |
| Inspect urine sample | ||
| Insert test strip into urine | ||
| Blot excess urine | ||
| Lay strip on flat surface | ||
| Start timer | ||
| Read & record results at appropriate time intervals | ||
| Urine pregnancy testing | Wash hands and put on gloves | |
| Insert test strip into urine to indicated level | ||
| Blot excess urine | ||
| Lay strip on flat surface | ||
| Start timer | ||
| Read & record result at appropriate time | ||
| Finishing | Dispose of all waste appropriately | |
| Wash hands | ||
| Document urine result in patient notes |
Explanation
Depending on the clinical scenario, you may need to perform urinalysis and/or urine pregnancy testing. As these procedures are similar, they have been combined into a single guide below.
Preparation
Wash, name, explain:
- Wash your hands
- Introduce yourself by name and role
- Check the patient’s name and date of birth
- Explain the task and get consent
“Hello, I’m one of the doctors. I’ve been asked to test a sample of your urine, which involves using a dipstick to check the urine for signs of blood or infection. Would that be okay?”
“Hello, I’m one of the doctors. I’ve been asked to carry out a pregnancy test, using a dipstick to test a sample of your urine. Would that be okay?”
Clean your preparation area, typically a clinical trolley, using appropriate surface cleaning agents.
Gather Equipment
Gather the following equipment:
- Urine sample – the sample should be in a sterile container and should ideally have been recently produced
- Urinalysis strips – ensure that you check the expiry date of the strips
- Pregnancy test – there are multiple types of urine pregnancy tests; this guide refers to a dipstick-style test. Check your local policy and equipment. Check the expiry date.
- Paper towel
- Timer
Urinalysis
Wash your hands and put on your gloves.
Examine the urine sample, observing the colour (e.g., pale yellow, dark yellow, blood stained) and consistency (e.g., clear, cloudy, blood clots).
Remove the lid from the urine sample container. Insert the urinalysis strip into the urine sample, ensuring that all reagent squares have been submerged. Withdraw the strip and blot any excess urine on the paper towel. Lay the urinalysis strip flat on a clean, dry surface. Start the timer.
Review the instructions on the urinalysis strip container. Most containers will tell you when to read the results for each reagent, usually ranging from 30-120 seconds. Record the result for each reagent square at the appropriate time intervals.
Urine Pregnancy Testing
Wash your hands and put on your gloves. (If you are testing the same sample for urinalysis and pregnancy, there is no need to rewash your hands or change your gloves.)
Insert the pregnancy test strip into the urine sample to the indicated level on the strip. Leave the strip submerged for the time instructed on the packaging, usually up to 15 seconds. Remove the test strip and blot any excess urine with a paper towel. Lay the strip flat on a clean, dry surface. Start your timer.
Wait until the time indicated on the test packaging has elapsed before reading the result, usually 3-5 minutes.
Finishing
Dispose of all waste appropriately, then clean your surface. Wash your hands.
Document the urine test results in the patient’s notes.
Last updated Mar 2025
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