The term used to describe blood in the urine.

Appeared in: OSSSC Nursing Officer-2021

Explanation

Hematuria is the correct medical term for the presence of red blood cells (RBCs) in the urine.
The term is derived from Greek roots: 'hema' meaning blood and 'ouron' meaning urine.
According to medical literature, the presence of more than three RBCs per high-power field in a centrifuged urine specimen constitutes hematuria.
It can be a sign of various conditions affecting the genitourinary tract, ranging from infections to malignancies.

Option A: Glycosuria refers to the presence of glucose (sugar) in the urine, not blood.
Option C: Pyuria refers to the presence of pus (white blood cells) in the urine, which is a sign of infection, not blood.
Option D: Albuminuria refers to the presence of the protein albumin in the urine, not blood.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Terminology for urinalysis findings helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must recognize that hematuria is a critical finding that always warrants further investigation. It can be a symptom of a minor issue like a UTI or a major one like bladder cancer or kidney disease.
Patient education is a key nursing role. When a patient reports blood in their urine, the nurse should instruct them on the importance of a follow-up with a healthcare provider and how to properly collect a clean-catch urine specimen to avoid contamination.
What if? If a female patient of menstruating age reports red-tinged urine, the nurse's first step should be to inquire about her menstrual cycle to rule out contamination before escalating concerns about hematuria.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which is to find the medical term for 'blood in the urine'.
Break down the options into their root words and suffixes to understand their meaning.
The suffix '-uria' consistently refers to a substance in the urine.
Analyze the prefixes: 'Glyco-' relates to glucose/sugar, 'Hema-' relates to blood, 'Py-' relates to pus, and 'Albumin-' relates to the protein albumin.
Combine the prefix and suffix: 'Hema' + 'uria' directly translates to 'blood in the urine'.
This methodical breakdown of medical terminology allows you to select the correct answer even if you only know the root words.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 1 p. 131-133

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 318-320

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