Which statement best reflects what the leukocyte test pad on a urine reagent strip measures when read at the appropriate time?

Which statement best reflects what the leukocyte test pad on a urine reagent strip measures when read at the appropriate time?

• A. Glucose
• B. Leukocyte esterase
• C. Blood
• D. Nitrite

Answer: (B)

Leukocyte esterase in urine is what the pad detects. The pad contains a substrate that leukocyte esterase cleaves, producing a color change when read at the recommended time. A positive result indicates the presence of white blood cells in the urine, which commonly signals inflammation or infection of the urinary tract (pyuria). This is distinct from the other pads: the glucose pad measures glucose, the blood pad detects occult blood, and the nitrite pad detects bacterial conversion of nitrates to nitrites.

Leukocyte esterase in urine is what the pad detects. The pad contains a substrate that leukocyte esterase cleaves, producing a color change when read at the recommended time. A positive result indicates the presence of white blood cells in the urine, which commonly signals inflammation or infection of the urinary tract (pyuria). This is distinct from the other pads: the glucose pad measures glucose, the blood pad detects occult blood, and the nitrite pad detects bacterial conversion of nitrates to nitrites.