Characteristics of Characteristics of Normal and Normal and

Abnormal UrineAbnormal UrineHeather Nelson, RNHeather Nelson, RN

Urine AmountUrine Amount

Normal: 1200-1500 mlNormal: 1200-1500 ml Abnormal: Under 1200 mlAbnormal: Under 1200 ml

Decreased fluid intakeDecreased fluid intake Kidney failureKidney failure

Abnormal: Over 1500 mlAbnormal: Over 1500 ml DiabetesDiabetes DiureticsDiuretics Increased fluid intakeIncreased fluid intake

Urine ColorUrine Color

Normal: Straw, amber, or Normal: Straw, amber, or transparenttransparent

Urine ColorUrine Color

Abnormal: Abnormal: Dark amberDark amber

Insufficient fluid intake resulting in Insufficient fluid intake resulting in concentrated urineconcentrated urine

CloudyCloudy Infectious processInfectious process

Dark orangeDark orange Drugs (e.g., Pyridium)Drugs (e.g., Pyridium)

Red or dark brownRed or dark brown Disease process causing blood in urineDisease process causing blood in urine

Urine ConsistencyUrine Consistency

Normal: Clear liquidNormal: Clear liquid Abnormal: Mucous plugs, viscid, Abnormal: Mucous plugs, viscid,

thickthick Infectious processInfectious process

Urine OdorUrine Odor

Normal: Faint aromaticNormal: Faint aromatic Abnormal: OffensiveAbnormal: Offensive

Infectious processInfectious process

Urine SterilityUrine Sterility

Normal: No microorganisms presentNormal: No microorganisms present Abnormal: Microorganisms presentAbnormal: Microorganisms present

Infection of the urinary tractInfection of the urinary tract

Urine pHUrine pH

Normal: 4.5 to 8Normal: 4.5 to 8 Abnormal: Over 8Abnormal: Over 8

Urinary tract infectionUrinary tract infection Abnormal: Under 4.5Abnormal: Under 4.5

Uncontrolled diabetes, starvation, Uncontrolled diabetes, starvation, dehydrationdehydration

Urine Specific GravityUrine Specific Gravity

Normal: 1.010 to 1.025Normal: 1.010 to 1.025 Abnormal: Under 1.010Abnormal: Under 1.010

Diabetes insipidus, kidney disease, Diabetes insipidus, kidney disease, overhydrationoverhydration

Abnormal: Over 1.025Abnormal: Over 1.025 Diabetes mellitus, underhydrationDiabetes mellitus, underhydration

Urine GlucoseUrine Glucose

Normal: Not presentNormal: Not present Abnormal: PresentAbnormal: Present

Diabetes mellitusDiabetes mellitus

Urine Ketone Bodies Urine Ketone Bodies (Acetone)(Acetone)

Normal: Not presentNormal: Not present Abnormal: PresentAbnormal: Present

Diabetic coma, starvation, prolonged Diabetic coma, starvation, prolonged vomitingvomiting

Urine BloodUrine Blood

Normal: Not presentNormal: Not present Abnormal: OccultAbnormal: Occult

Kidney diseaseKidney disease Abnormal: Bright redAbnormal: Bright red

HemorrhageHemorrhage