National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Medical Assistant Practice Test

Which component is NOT typically included in a standard urinalysis dipstick?

1. Phosphates

2. pH

3. Glucose

4. Specific gravity

The correct answer is: Phosphates

A standard urinalysis dipstick is a quick testing tool used to analyze various components of urine. It typically checks for parameters like pH, glucose, and specific gravity, which provide important insights into a person's metabolic and kidney health. pH helps evaluate the acidity or alkalinity of the urine, which can indicate different bodily conditions or dietary influences. Glucose testing is crucial for identifying potential diabetes or kidney issues, as the presence of glucose in urine can signal problems with glucose regulation. Specific gravity measures the concentration of particles in urine, providing information about hydration status and kidney function. Phosphates, while they can be present in urine and important for certain diagnostic contexts, are not a routine component of standard dipstick tests. They are typically assessed through more comprehensive analyses rather than in basic urinalysis, which explains why they are not included in the standard testing lineup on dipsticks. Thus, phosphates is the correct answer as it does not belong to the list of the primary components evaluated in a standard urinalysis dipstick test.