Final answer:
In a urine assay, + and - urobilinogen refer to the presence or absence of urobilinogen in the urine sample. A positive result indicates the presence of urobilinogen, while a negative result means it is not detected.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a urine assay, + and - urobilinogen refer to the presence or absence of urobilinogen in the urine sample. Urobilinogen is a product of bilirubin breakdown and is normally present in small amounts in urine.
A positive (+) urobilinogen result indicates the presence of urobilinogen in the urine, which can be a sign of certain liver or gallbladder conditions. A negative (-) result means that urobilinogen is not detected in the urine.
It is important to interpret the urobilinogen result in the context of other urine tests and the patient's medical history to determine the underlying cause.