WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What do I need to know about a urinalysis? A urinalysis (UA) includes several tests to examine your urine. A UA may be used to get information about your overall health, such as during a wellness exam. It may be done to check for a urinary tract infection, or to check for signs of other medical problems. These may include kidney disease or diabetes. It is also used to find out if a woman is pregnant. How do I prepare for a UA? Your healthcare provider will tell if you need to have the test done at a certain time of day. He may give you other instructions on how to collect your urine. How do I collect my urine for a UA? Your healthcare provider will give you a cup, a lid, and a cleansing wipe. Remove the lid from the cup. Do not touch the inside of the cup. Use the wipe to clean around the opening where you pass urine. Women should wipe from the front to the back. Let a small amount of urine fall into the toilet and then urinate into the cup. Put the lid back on the cup. Give the urine sample to your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may have results right away, or you may need to follow up with him. What do abnormal test results mean? Abnormal test results are a sign that you may have a health problem that needs to be treated. You may need other tests to find the cause of your abnormal test results. |