Question

The nurse correctly recognizes which of the following urinalysis values as abnormal? Select all that apply.

1) Specific gravity 1.009

2) pH 9.5

3) Protein 19 mg/dL

4) RBCs 8 per high-power field

5) Glucose: positive

Answer 1

Abnormal urinalysis values include specific gravity of 1.009, pH of 9.5, protein of 19 mg/dL, 8 RBCs per high-power field, and glucose positivity, indicating possible conditions such as diabetes insipidus, kidney stones, kidney damage, disease processes, or diabetes mellitus.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse correctly recognizes the following urinalysis values as abnormal: a specific gravity of 1.009, a pH of 9.5, protein at 19 mg/dL, the presence of 8 red blood cells (RBCs) per high-power field, and glucose positivity in the urine.

Abnormal Urinalysis Values

• Specific gravity at 1.009 is lower than the normal range for specific gravity (1.015), which may indicate conditions such as diabetes insipidus or kidney problems.
• A urine pH of 9.5 is abnormally high, as normal urine pH typically ranges from 4.5 to 8.0. A high pH can be associated with risks like the development of kidney stones.
• Normal urine typically contains no protein, so a protein level of 19 mg/dL is abnormal and may suggest kidney damage or disease.
• Seeing RBCs at 8 per high-power field is abnormal because urine typically doesn't contain red blood cells unless there is a disease process.
• Glucose normally doesn't appear in urine. A positive glucose result suggests hyperglycemia or diabetes mellitus.