Final answer:
Alkaline urine indicates the presence of struvite salts, acidic urine suggests uric acid salts, and infection is associated with struvite stones. Hematuria occurs due to kidney stones, which can range in type from struvite to uric acid, cystine, and calcium phosphate stones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lab findings of nephrolithiasis often include hematuria, and variations in urine pH can indicate the type of salts involved in stone formation. Alkaline urine typically suggests the presence of struvite salts which are associated with infection and can lead to struvite stones. Acidic urine is more likely to contain uric acid salts, which can result in the formation of uric acid stones. In cases of urinary tract infection, there is an increased risk of developing struvite stones.
Hematuria is a symptom of kidney stones that includes the presence of blood in the urine, often due to minor damage within the urinary tract. The formation of cystine stones is linked to a genetic disorder called cystinuria, while calcium phosphate stones can be associated with conditions like hyperparathyroidism and renal tubular acidosis. Overall, various types of kidney stones can form depending on a number of factors, including urine pH, presence of certain salts, and infections. Healthcare providers often use urine tests to diagnose and understand the underlying causes of renal calculi.