Voided urine refers to urine naturally passed from the body. This term is common in healthcare, especially when discussing urine tests. Understanding it is helpful for anyone undergoing urine collection procedures.
Understanding Voided Urine and Its Collection
In medicine, “voided” urine distinguishes a sample collected by natural urination from those obtained through invasive methods like catheterization. The most common collection method is the “clean catch” or “midstream” procedure. This technique minimizes contamination from bacteria on the skin around the genital area.
The clean catch method involves several steps to ensure the sample accurately reflects urine from the bladder and kidneys. First, the patient cleanses the genital area using provided wipes; for females, this means wiping from front to back, and for males, cleaning the tip of the penis. After cleansing, the patient begins to urinate a small amount into the toilet to flush out any remaining contaminants from the urethra.
The urine stream is then interrupted, and the collection cup is placed to collect the middle portion of the urine. Once enough urine is collected, the remaining urine can be passed into the toilet, and the cup is sealed. This midstream collection is performed to obtain a sample that is as free as possible from external bacteria, allowing for more accurate test results.
Diagnostic Insights from Voided Urine
Voided urine samples provide medical information about a person’s health. Two common tests are urinalysis and urine culture. Urinalysis involves a visual examination of the urine’s color and clarity, followed by a dipstick test and a microscopic examination. The dipstick detects substances like blood, protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, nitrites, and leukocyte esterase, while also measuring pH and specific gravity.
Abnormal findings in a urinalysis can indicate various health conditions. For example, the presence of white blood cells or nitrites might suggest a urinary tract infection (UTI), while glucose could point to diabetes. High protein levels may indicate kidney issues, and dark or cloudy urine can signify dehydration or infection.
Following a urinalysis, a urine culture may be performed, especially if an infection is suspected. This test specifically identifies the type of bacteria or yeast causing an infection, such as a UTI, and determines which antibiotics would be most effective for treatment.