Question

The first step of a urinalysis procedure, before testing with a reagent stick, is to visually examine the urine for color, clarity and odor. These properties should be considered in addition to a patient’s clinical presentation, fluid intake and urine output.

In the case of Sample B, the patient has presented with an overall healthy appearance. The quantity of urine is normal, the clarity of the urine is clear, but the color of the urine is tinged red, the odor is strong, and the patient is alarmed.

From the following, select ALL questions which the patient should be asked, to help determine the cause of the color and odor changes.

	a.	menstruation should be ruled out in females
	b.	consumption of beets
	c.	consumption of asparagus
	d.	consumption of rhubarb

Answer 1

Option A, B and D

Reason –

The red color of urine can be primarily of two major reasons –

a)         The presence of blood in urine

b)         The presence of chemicals extracted from various foods

In case of blood, there are high chances that the person (only females) might be menstruating at the time of collection of urine samples.

In case of food items, urine color changes to pink or red when several foods such as Beets, blackberries, and rhubarb are consumed. Consumption of such foods leads to extraction of pigments such as betalain or betacyanin (from beet root) into urine therby changing urine color eventually.

Thus, the  the patient should be asked about option A, B and D