CAP Pro Course - Point-of-Care Testing - Urine Reagent Strip Testing (2026 & 2027)

Author: Alice Travanty, BS, MLS(ASCP)
Reviewer: Sheryl A. Whitlock, MA.Ed, MLS(ASCP)BB and Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Identify the characteristics of a urine sample that is acceptable for urine reagent strip testing.
  • Explain the storage, handling, and quality control requirements for urine reagent test strips.
  • Discuss the correct procedure for performing urine reagent strip testing and reporting results.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of test results and describe conditions that may affect the results of the tests that are included on a multiple reagent urine dipstick.

Course Outline

  • Identify the characteristics of a urine sample that is acceptable for urine reagent strip testing.
      • Urinalysis
      • Acceptable Sample for Urine Reagent Strip Testing
      • The urine sample from a patient in the Emergency Department (ED) is grossly bloody. What should be done with this patient's sample?
      • A urine sample has been in the refrigerator since the previous afternoon. The next morning the medical assistant performs quality controls on the anal...
      • Bacteria is present in a patient's urine and the specimen is not analyzed immediately. What effect will this have on the pH of the sample?
      • Which of the following is an acceptable sample for testing with urine dipsticks?
      • Which of the following analytes are not stable in light?
  • Explain the storage, handling, and quality control requirements for urine reagent test strips.
      • Storing and Handling Urine Reagent Strips
      • Quality Control
      • Quality Control, continued
      • QC Documentation and Corrective Action
      • Troubleshooting Failed QC
      • Quality Control Testing Flowchart
      • An ED tech opens a new bottle of urine dipsticks. The tech takes out the desiccant and throws it away. What, if anything, will happen to the dipsticks...
      • As a tech takes a strip out of the bottle, she touches the strip pads with her gloved hands. What should she do next?
      • A physician assistant makes house calls. She keeps her supplies including urine dipsticks in her car. The temperature today is over 90 degrees. What s...
      • What procedure must be performed before using a new lot of reagent strips for patient testing?
      • What is the primary purpose of quality control (QC) testing?
  • Discuss the correct procedure for performing urine reagent strip testing and reporting results.
      • Procedure for Urine Dipsticks
      • Reporting Results
      • Competency Requirements for Performing Urine Dipstick Testing
      • An ED tech performs a manual urine dipstick test. The tech is distracted during the testing by another technologist asking a question. After finishing...
      • An ED tech performs a urine dipstick on the waived analyzer. The tech does not put her employee number into the analyzer. She performs the test under ...
      • In order to prevent the dissolving of the reagents, what is the correct way to remove the excess urine from a testing strip that has been dipped ?
      • When manually reading the results from a urine dipstick, which of the following is the correct method?
      • After dipping the reagent strip in urine for a manual dipstick test, how should the strip be held?
      • When reporting a patient's urine dipstick results, which of the following is not required in the patient's report?
  • Demonstrate an understanding of test results and describe conditions that may affect the results of the tests that are included on a multiple reagent urine dipstick.
      • Conditions that May Affect Results of Urine Dipsticks
      • A clinic patient is eight months pregnant. She has high blood pressure, and her urine sample shows a large amount of protein (>300 mg.) What is the...
      • An 18-month-old girl's urine dipstick shows 2+ leukocyte esterase and a specific gravity of 1.025. What is the most likely reason for these findings?
      • Which of the following will cause a urine to be acidic?
      • A patient's urine is contaminated with povidone-iodine used during a surgical procedure. What urine dipstick test will show a false-positive result du...
      • Reference intervals that are associated with completed point-of-care testing should be available to the clinician when he/she is reviewing the test re...
      • A urine specimen tests positive for protein. A second specimen is collected the next day from the same patient, and the protein result is negative. An...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS, MT, and MLT personnel, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information: Alice Travanty, BS, MLS(ASCP) was the Point-of-Care Coordinator for St. Joseph Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin until her recent retirement from that position. She serves as a technical consultant for Tosa Pediatrics. Alice is the author of article "Connectivity Aids Compliance" in Advance for Administrators of Laboratory Vol 20, Issue 11, page 18. She graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Medical Technology and holds a Point-of-Care Specialist certificate from AACC.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information:
Sheryl A. Whitlock, MA.Ed, MLS(ASCP)BB is the owner of ARK Laboratory Consulting, LLC and a part time technical consultant for McKesson. Sheryl served as the laboratory coordinator for the Student Health Services Laboratory at the University of Delaware for 15 years. Sheryl received her Master’s degree in Education from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania. She has more than 35 years of experience in laboratory science and has written and published textbooks and laboratory manuals as well as having contributed to numerous online and print articles in the field of laboratory medicine.
Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He holds Medical Laboratory Scientist and Specialist in Hematology certifications through the ASCP Board of Certification. He was a professor at Thomas Jefferson University for seven years before transitioning into his current role as Education Developer at MediaLab by Vastian. His areas of expertise and professional passions include clinical hematology and interprofessional education. 

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