One of the clinical skills I have learnt, on my first placement, was urine dipstick analysis. As Bishop (2008) states routine urinalysis is relatively fast, simple and accurate test that detects abnormalities in composition of urine like protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, leucocytes, nitrite and blood. The findings may determine further specific investigations and tests i.e. leucocytes and nitrites in urine may suggest presence of bacteria in urine causing urinary tract infection (Midthun, S.J. 2004). The urine specimen should be sent to laboratory for culture where the organism is specified and …show more content…
For me , the most meaningful experience was that the nurse’s role was to identify those individuals who are at risk of getting urinary tract infection such as incontinent, immobile, those with catheters or cognitively impaired and most importantly monitor any changes in patient’s condition in order to be able to identify the infection in a timely manner. It is crucial to seek medical help as untreated infection may progress to urosepsis and the results could be fatal ( Kessenich, C. R.