To determine the acid-base balance of the body

As H+ increases the pH decreases(acidic)

As H+ decreases the pH increases(alkaline)

Double indicator system

Methyl red will produce red to yellow in the pH range of 4-6

Bromythol blue turns yellow to blue in the pH range of 6-9

Wide spectrum of color changes from orange to blue(5-8.5)

Proper procedure not followed causing run-over 

Reference value

4.5-8.0

Average pH is 6.0

No urine pH is considered abnormal

Acidic urine-high meat diet, cranberry juice, sever diarrhea, starvation UTI Caused by E. coli

Alkaline urine-vegetables and citrus fruits

proteus and Pseudomonas infections

Old specimens

Hyperventilation

Test reagent strip is known negative and positive controls

Document controls

Take corrective action if controls exceed intended results

Properly label all reagents

date opened or prepared, expiration date, and lot number and techs initials

Protein-error-of-indicators

The test strip is more sensitive to the presence of albumin than the presence of globulins

False pos can occure ( high alkaline urine highly pigmented urine antiseptics or detergents)

Reference value normal. (trace amounts are normal) protein is the least affected by standing or improperly stored urine.

Multiple Myeloma (Excretion of bence-jones protein)

Damage to the glomerulus

High molecular weight protein pass through glomerulus membrane

Glomerulitis

Hypertension