Final answer:
Significant microhematuria refers to the presence of an abnormal number of red blood cells in the urine, which may indicate medical conditions such as infections or nephritis. The presence of significant RBCs on a urine dipstick generally warrants a repeat UA to confirm findings and establish a diagnosis. Hence, option (1) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Significant microhematuria on a urinalysis (UA) is generally defined as the presence of an abnormally high number of red blood cells (RBC) in the urine. It can be indicative of various medical conditions such as nephritis, trauma, kidney stones, or urinary tract infections.
The presence of white blood cells (WBC) along with RBC, which is also known as haematuria, can be observed in similar conditions. When significant RBCs are seen on a urine dipstick, it typically suggests that there is blood in the urine, a condition known as hematuria. A urine dipstick test can identify levels of chemicals, proteins, or cells like RBCs in the urine, and abnormal levels may indicate an infection or other medical issues.
As for the question regarding whether a doctor should repeat the UA after observing significant RBC on a urine dipstick, although the question does not directly provide enough information to answer this, medical protocols often recommend repeating the test to confirm the findings and determine the cause.
Additional testing and diagnosis might be necessary, as indicated in the case of Kerry, who showed proteinuria and hemoglobinuria along with a low hematocrit, suggesting hemolytic anemia. Urine color and consistency, presence of WBCs, and other characteristics can also offer clues to diagnose different diseases like diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus or conditions affecting the liver and kidney function.