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

A positive urine dipstick for albumin indicates the presence of what in a patient's urine?

1. Glucose

2. Ketones

3. Protein

4. Bile

The correct answer is: Protein

A positive urine dipstick for albumin indicates the presence of protein in the patient's urine. Albumin is a specific type of protein, and when detected in urine, it suggests that there may be an abnormality in kidney function, as healthy kidneys typically prevent significant amounts of protein from escaping into the urine. The presence of albumin can be an early sign of kidney disease or other underlying health issues. In a clinical context, the detection of protein in urine can help guide further investigations, such as checking for possible causes like glomerulonephritis, diabetes-related kidney damage, or hypertension. This understanding is critical for medical assistants who are part of the patient care team, as they may need to communicate findings and assist in further diagnostic testing or monitoring of patients' conditions.