Urinalysis readings?

[monkeygirl]

Hi Nurses! What I would like to know is, when I pretty much know I have a UTI, I will take a test with a urinalysis test strip, it shows everything.It's called Multistix. Usually the ones that change color is protein, ph, and once in a blue moon, blood. So what exactly does protein and pH., have to do with UTI's. PS. the protein reading is usually around 30 and the pH is usually around 7.0. Thanx again.

[Clipper]

I'm not a nurse, so I can't answer your questions about pH and protein with authority. My understanding, however, is that pH is a measure of the acidity of urine. A normal pH is between 6 and 7, I think. A pH less than 7 indicates acidic urine and a pH greater than 7 indicates alkaline urine. Changes in pH do not neccessarily indicate a UTI. PH levels fluctuate daily. Protein should not be found in urine in significant amounts. I do not know specific numbers.

A urinalysis for me will ALWAYS say that I have a UTI and a certain amount of bladder monsters (bacteria). In my experience, stick tests are useless. Unless you have a culture done to "grow out" the bacteria, you might end up on antibiotic more often than you should. Please forgive me if I'm telling you something that you already know.

[This message was edited by Clipper on August 29, 2001 at 04:46 PM.]

[SCI-Nurse]

Lower pH is more acidic and less likely to grow bacteria. Bacteria grow better in an alkaline environment. pH and protein are not necessarily indicative of a urine infection. Blood in the urine is always abnormal and should be investigated. UTI can cause blood to show in the urine. However, white blood cells, bacteria, and leukocyte esterase seen with a microscope are a better indicator. If a person is catheterized, some of these may be present all the time. A true infection is considered a postive urine culture along with symptoms. Because of the potential of developing resistance to antibiotics, these are the "true" infections in a person who caths, and should be treated. (EMK)