Urine Sediment and Microscopy

Start with the examination method

The mind map on the method for performing microscopic examination of urinary sediment is a useful starting point. It includes reporting points for epithelial cells, bacteria and yeasts. Use it to become familiar with what the resource asks you to notice and report before moving to identification practice.

Next, open Urine Sediment Plates. Its flashcards list items including red and white blood cells, epithelial cells, bacteria, casts and yeast. Work through the terms alongside the method map, noting which items appear in both resources.

Practice cells and casts

The Urinalysis flashcard decks offer different prompts. One includes questions asking you to identify a structure at an arrow, with terms such as white blood cells, red blood cells and squamous epithelial cells. Another lists casts and other urine findings. Use the decks to practice recognizing terms, then return to the cards that need another look.

The Casts mind map adds notes on where casts form and on hyaline and granular casts. The Urine Identification deck also includes questions connecting casts with renal conditions. You can use the map to review the cast notes before trying those questions.

Check crystal identification

The Urine crystals quiz asks which urine crystal is shown in a picture. The urine crystals flashcard deck lists crystal names, including calcium oxalate, cysteine and uric acid. Look through the deck, try the quiz, and return to the names you want to study again.

Use the topic within the unit

Urine Sediment and Microscopy is a section of the Laboratory Diagnostics unit in Internal medicine, pathology and clinical semiology. The resources give you a way to study the examination method, then practice the identification terms featured on this topic page. Choose a map or deck to begin your study session.