What can be assessed through a urinalysis?

A urinalysis is a valuable diagnostic tool that allows healthcare providers to assess various components of urine, thereby gaining insight into a person's overall health, particularly relating to the kidneys and metabolic processes. The presence of proteins, blood, glucose, and ketones in the urine can indicate different health conditions.

For instance, the presence of proteins (proteinuria) can suggest kidney damage or diseases such as glomerulonephritis. Blood in the urine (hematuria) can indicate infections, kidney stones, or more severe conditions like tumors. Glucose in the urine (glycosuria) is often associated with diabetes when blood glucose levels exceed the renal threshold. Ketones, which are produced when fat is metabolized in the absence of sufficient carbohydrates, can indicate conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis or starvation.

In contrast, the other options do not properly reflect what a urinalysis can evaluate. While blood pressure levels are crucial for assessing a patient's cardiovascular health, they are measured through blood pressure readings, not urinalysis. Kidney size and structure are typically assessed using imaging studies such as ultrasounds or CT scans, rather than through urine analysis. Therefore, the assessment of proteins, blood, glucose, and ketones through urinalysis provides essential