Final answer:
Urine drug screening is a diagnostic tool that detects specific substances in urine, monitors kidney function, and aids in medical diagnosis using test strips and microscopic analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Urine drug screening can be used to detect the presence of specific substances in a person's urine, monitor kidney function, and diagnose medical conditions. It involves analyzing a urine sample physically, chemically, and microscopically to assess various components like proteins, glucose, and cellular elements.
Urine test strips are commonly used tools that have multiple pads each containing different reagents to determine levels of various chemicals, proteins, or cells. These screenings can support medical diagnostics for conditions such as diabetes, kidney infections, Cushing's syndrome, and urinary tract infections, among others.
For example, abnormal levels of glucose in the urine, detected through simple urinalysis, could point to diabetes, while elevated cortisol levels may indicate Cushing's syndrome. Similarly, the presence of proteins such as albumin could suggest kidney-related issues. Microscopic study of urine can reveal red blood cells and white blood cells, which may signal infections or other urinary system disorders.