NSG 550 Exam 1: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Comprehensive Lab Values
& Diagnostic Reference | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified
Answers)
Subject: Advanced Clinical Lab Values / Diagnostic Testing
Source: NSG 550 Exam 1 – Comprehensive Review Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
1: What is the normal pH range of urine?
Correct Answer: 4.6-8.
1. Urine pH varies with diet and metabolic status.
2. Acidic urine (pH <5) seen in metabolic acidosis, starvation, DKA.
3. Alkaline urine (pH >7) seen in UTI (urease-producing bacteria), metabolic alkalosis, vegetarian diet.
2: What is the normal protein level in urine?
Correct Answer: 0-8 mg/dL; 50-80 mg/24 hr (at rest).
1. Proteinuria indicates glomerular damage.
2. Orthostatic proteinuria is benign (protein only when upright).
3. Persistent proteinuria >150 mg/24h indicates kidney disease.
3: What is the normal specific gravity of urine in an adult?
Correct Answer: 1.005-1.030.
1. Specific gravity measures urine concentration.
2. Low SG (<1.005) indicates dilute urine (DI, excess fluid intake).
3. High SG (>1.030) indicates concentrated urine (dehydration, SIADH).
4: What is the normal specific gravity in a newborn baby?
Correct Answer: 1.001-1.020.
1. Newborns have limited concentrating ability.
2. Lower range reflects immature kidney function.
3. Matures over first few months of life.
5: What is the specific gravity finding in SIADH?
Correct Answer: Elevated.
1. SIADH causes water retention and concentrated urine.
2. Urine specific gravity >1.025.
3. Urine osmolality also elevated (>300 mOsm/kg).
, 6: What is the specific gravity finding in diabetes insipidus?
Correct Answer: Decreased.
1. DI causes inability to concentrate urine.
2. Urine specific gravity <1.005.
3. Urine osmolality <100 mOsm/kg.
7: What is the leukocyte esterase level indicating UTI?
Correct Answer: >100,000.
1. Leukocyte esterase positive indicates WBCs in urine.
2. >100,000 CFU/mL on culture confirms UTI.
3. Positive nitrite also suggests bacterial infection.
8: What conditions cause ketones in urine?
Correct Answer: Poorly controlled DM, hyperglycemia, infection, ketoacidosis related to
alcoholism, fasting, aspirin toxicity, anesthesia.
1. Ketones result from fat metabolism when glucose unavailable.
2. DKA is most concerning cause.
3. Ketosis without acidosis in starvation or low-carb diet.
9: What is the normal range for urobilinogen in urine?
Correct Answer: 0.01-1. Higher in alkaline urine, lower in acidic urine.
1. Urobilinogen is from bilirubin metabolism.
2. Elevated in hemolysis, liver disease.
3. Absent in complete biliary obstruction.
10: What do hyaline or granular casts indicate?
Correct Answer: Strenuous exercise (benign finding).
1. Hyaline casts are non-pathologic.
2. May also be seen with dehydration, fever, diuretics.
3. Increased casts after exercise normal.
11: What do fatty casts indicate?
Correct Answer: Glomerular disease.
1. Fatty casts (oval fat bodies) indicate nephrotic syndrome.
2. Associated with proteinuria and lipiduria.
3. Maltese cross pattern under polarized light.
12: What do waxy casts indicate?
Correct Answer: Chronic renal disease.
1. Waxy casts indicate advanced kidney disease.
2. Associated with chronic renal failure.
3. Also seen in diabetic nephropathy.
& Diagnostic Reference | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified
Answers)
Subject: Advanced Clinical Lab Values / Diagnostic Testing
Source: NSG 550 Exam 1 – Comprehensive Review Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
1: What is the normal pH range of urine?
Correct Answer: 4.6-8.
1. Urine pH varies with diet and metabolic status.
2. Acidic urine (pH <5) seen in metabolic acidosis, starvation, DKA.
3. Alkaline urine (pH >7) seen in UTI (urease-producing bacteria), metabolic alkalosis, vegetarian diet.
2: What is the normal protein level in urine?
Correct Answer: 0-8 mg/dL; 50-80 mg/24 hr (at rest).
1. Proteinuria indicates glomerular damage.
2. Orthostatic proteinuria is benign (protein only when upright).
3. Persistent proteinuria >150 mg/24h indicates kidney disease.
3: What is the normal specific gravity of urine in an adult?
Correct Answer: 1.005-1.030.
1. Specific gravity measures urine concentration.
2. Low SG (<1.005) indicates dilute urine (DI, excess fluid intake).
3. High SG (>1.030) indicates concentrated urine (dehydration, SIADH).
4: What is the normal specific gravity in a newborn baby?
Correct Answer: 1.001-1.020.
1. Newborns have limited concentrating ability.
2. Lower range reflects immature kidney function.
3. Matures over first few months of life.
5: What is the specific gravity finding in SIADH?
Correct Answer: Elevated.
1. SIADH causes water retention and concentrated urine.
2. Urine specific gravity >1.025.
3. Urine osmolality also elevated (>300 mOsm/kg).
, 6: What is the specific gravity finding in diabetes insipidus?
Correct Answer: Decreased.
1. DI causes inability to concentrate urine.
2. Urine specific gravity <1.005.
3. Urine osmolality <100 mOsm/kg.
7: What is the leukocyte esterase level indicating UTI?
Correct Answer: >100,000.
1. Leukocyte esterase positive indicates WBCs in urine.
2. >100,000 CFU/mL on culture confirms UTI.
3. Positive nitrite also suggests bacterial infection.
8: What conditions cause ketones in urine?
Correct Answer: Poorly controlled DM, hyperglycemia, infection, ketoacidosis related to
alcoholism, fasting, aspirin toxicity, anesthesia.
1. Ketones result from fat metabolism when glucose unavailable.
2. DKA is most concerning cause.
3. Ketosis without acidosis in starvation or low-carb diet.
9: What is the normal range for urobilinogen in urine?
Correct Answer: 0.01-1. Higher in alkaline urine, lower in acidic urine.
1. Urobilinogen is from bilirubin metabolism.
2. Elevated in hemolysis, liver disease.
3. Absent in complete biliary obstruction.
10: What do hyaline or granular casts indicate?
Correct Answer: Strenuous exercise (benign finding).
1. Hyaline casts are non-pathologic.
2. May also be seen with dehydration, fever, diuretics.
3. Increased casts after exercise normal.
11: What do fatty casts indicate?
Correct Answer: Glomerular disease.
1. Fatty casts (oval fat bodies) indicate nephrotic syndrome.
2. Associated with proteinuria and lipiduria.
3. Maltese cross pattern under polarized light.
12: What do waxy casts indicate?
Correct Answer: Chronic renal disease.
1. Waxy casts indicate advanced kidney disease.
2. Associated with chronic renal failure.
3. Also seen in diabetic nephropathy.
