HASPI Medical Biology Lab 18
Urinalysis
Teacher Information
Description
The urinalysis is a very common medical procedure capable of diagnosing many different health
issues. In this lab students will act as laboratory technicians, and will be performing a urinalysis on
simulated urine samples that have been submitted to their lab. A short background on symptoms and
reasons for urine collection for each patient is also given. Students are then required to interpret the
results of the urinalysis for each patient.
Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Understand how the kidneys work to filter substances out of the blood.
Describe the physical characteristics of a normal vs. abnormal urine sample.
Identify normal vs. abnormal urine samples in terms of pH and urine contents.
Identify common disorders that can be diagnosed through a urinalysis.
Analyze urinalysis results and explain possible causes of those results and related symptoms.
CA Biology State Standards
1a. Students know cells are enclosed within semi-permeable membranes that regulate their
interaction with their surroundings.
9a. Students know how the complementary activity of major body systems provides cells with oxygen
and nutrients and removes toxic waste products such as carbon dioxide.
9g.* Students know the homeostatic role of the kidneys in the removal of nitrogenous wastes and the
role of the liver in blood detoxification and glucose balance.
9i.* Students know how hormones (including digestive, reproductive, osmoregulatory) provide internal
feedback mechanisms for homeostasis at the cellular level and in whole organisms.
Time: 50-60 minutes
The rapid response test strips are able to provide several test results at once, so the urine testing
should go very rapidly. Microscope evaluation of each urine sample will take a bit longer, but the
testing portion of this lab will not take more than about 20-25 minutes. The patient write-up and
research of results also has to be completed, but can be assigned as homework if time is short.
Materials Supplies needed for 10 lab groups
Supply
Rapid Response test strips (25 strips – must be cut in ½
vertically to have the 50 strips required for this lab)
Test strip indicator sheets
Urine sample A (5 ml per lab group)
Urine sample B (5 ml per lab group)
Urine sample C (5 ml per lab group)
Urine sample D (5 ml per lab group)
Urine sample E (5 ml per lab group)
Plastic droppers (5 per group)
Test tubes
Provided (P) or
Needed (N)
Quantity
P
1 bag
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
N
10
55 ml
55 ml
55 ml
55 ml
55 ml
50
50
243
Test tube rack
N
10
Graduated cylinder (5 ml minimum)
N
5
Microscope, slides, and cover slips
N
10
Paper towels
N
10
IMPORTANT: Check the MSDS for safety information on unfamiliar chemicals
Additional Information
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The rapid response test strips are capable of testing for glucose, bilirubin, ketone, specific
gravity, blood, pH, protein, urobilinogen nitrite, and leukocytes.
The test strips will need to cut in half vertically. They are very expensive and still easily
readable when cut in half. It may be more efficient to have the students cut in ½ before use.
Since students will be pouring small quantities of urine from each sample into their own test
tubes, it is recommended that the 5 urine samples be placed in different areas of the room,
each with its own graduated cylinder to prevent any contamination.
Kit Replenishment Instructions- HASPI Supported Sites Only
Funds permitting, HASPI will replace annually:
 Rapid Response test strips
 All simulated urine samples (MUST return urine sample bottles for refill)
Not being replaced annually, please recycle and reuse:
 Test strip indicator sheets
 Plastic droppers
Resources and References
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Freudenrich, C. 2001. How Your Kidneys Work. Discovery Fit & Health.
http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/kidney-urinary/kidney.htm
Martin, T. and Baustian, M. 2003. Interpreting Medical Tests: What’s in Urine? Cornell
Institute for Biology Teachers, pp. 1-9.
Neo/SCI. Urinalysis and Disease Identification Investigation. www.neosci.com
Ward’s. 2002. Simulating Urinalysis Lab Activity. WARD’S Natural Science Establishment,
Inc. pp. 1-13.
Winter. 2008. Laboratory 9: Urinalysis. Biology 142, pp. 9.1-9.7.
www.hunterp.disted.camosun.bc.ca/Microsoft%20Word%20%20LAB%2011%20Urinalysis%20_2008_.pdf
Heather Peterson, HASPI Curriculum Coordinator. www.haspi.org
Edited by Janet Hoff-Kneier, HASPI Program Manager. www.haspi.org
Images (in order of appearance)
 http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/kidney-urinary/kidney5.htm
 http://www.prostatesydney.com.au/images/urinalysis.jpg
HASPI Medical Biology Lab 18, Urinalysis, Teacher Info; Revised July 2011
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