NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)Clinical Patient CareMedium
A medical assistant is performing a urinalysis using a reagent strip. The MA notices that the specific gravity is 1.005. Which of the following conditions might this finding indicate?
- AExcessive fluid intake
- BDehydration
- CUrinary tract infection
- DDiabetes mellitus
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Excessive fluid intake
A specific gravity of 1.005 is a low reading, indicating dilute urine. This often results from excessive fluid intake, which dilutes the solutes in the urine.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Dehydration typically causes a high specific gravity (concentrated urine), not a low one.
- C. A urinary tract infection does not directly cause a low specific gravity; it often presents with other findings like leukocytes and nitrites.
- D. Diabetes mellitus often leads to a high specific gravity due to glucose in the urine, or normal to slightly elevated if diluted by polyuria.
Urine Specific Gravity
A measure of the concentration of solutes in urine, reflecting the kidney's ability to concentrate or dilute urine. Normal range is typically 1.005-1.030.
- High specific gravity = concentrated urine (e.g., dehydration).
- Low specific gravity = dilute urine (e.g., excessive fluid intake).
- Measured by refractometer or reagent strip.
Memory trick: Low S.G., Lots of Gulping!