Collect a random urine specimen. Transport the specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible.

Urinary sediment is microscopically examined under both the low-power field (lpf) and the high-power field (hpf). Low power is used to find and count casts; RBCs, WBCs, and bacteria show up and are counted under high power. Amounts present are defined in the following terms: few, moderate, packed, and packed solid; or 1+, 2+, 3+, and 4+. Crystals and other elements are also noted.

Microscopic results should be correlated with the physical and chemical findings to ensure the accuracy of the report (Table 3.8).