Final answer:
A routine urine analysis, or urinalysis, includes physical, chemical, and microscopic examinations. Physical examination evaluates urine's appearance, chemical uses test strips for reactions to substances, and microscopic involves identifying elements like cells and crystals.
Step-by-step explanation:
A routine analysis of urine, often referred to as a urinalysis, generally consists of three types of examinations: physical, chemical, and microscopic analysis. The physical examination looks at the urine's color, clarity, and concentration. During the chemical examination, reagents on a test strip react with various substances present in the urine, causing color changes that can be measured against a color key. The microscopic examination involves viewing the urine sample under a microscope to identify cells, bacteria, crystals, and other substances that may indicate infection or disease.
More extensive tests, like cultures, are done if an infection is suspected, but these are not typically part of the routine urinalysis process. Pathological constituents of urine can also be tested to detect diseases. Automated systems may help identify cells and microorganisms using biochemical reactions and software analysis.