Description:
Not only can crystals help diagnose the patient’s current
state, but they can also provide insight into the potential for kidney stones
or the presence of undiagnosed disease. They also may help clinicians detect
certain types of substance abuse. The precipitation of salts and other solutes
as crystals can reflect a change in kidney health and function, and some
crystals traditionally thought to be insignificant may have a deeper meaning for
the patient. This article provides an understanding of kidney function and
urine formation to help you discern one crystal type from another, so you can
provide the clinician with an effective “prediction” of the patient’s urinary
future.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the causes of acidic urine
- Identify the causes of alkaline urine
- Describe clinically significant urinary crystals
Author(s):
Leslie Williams, MT(ASCP)
Launched: 2015