Which urine test should a nurse request for a client displaying increased thirst, hunger, and urination with normal vital signs?

• A. Complete blood count
• B. Urinalysis
• C. Urine culture
• D. Urine specific gravity

Answer: (B)

The most appropriate urine test to request for a client who exhibits increased thirst, hunger, and urination, particularly in the context of normal vital signs, is a urinalysis.

A urinalysis is a comprehensive test that provides valuable information about the overall health of the urinary system and can help identify various conditions, including diabetes mellitus. Given the symptoms of increased thirst (polydipsia), increased hunger (polyphagia), and frequent urination (polyuria), a urinalysis is crucial for assessing the presence of glucose, ketones, or other abnormalities in the urine that may indicate a metabolic disorder such as diabetes.

This test can also help detect any signs of dehydration or urinary tract infections, which can be relevant in this case. It checks various parameters such as pH, specific gravity, and the presence of substances like proteins, glucose, and ketones, which are all relevant to the symptoms described.

The other options, while useful in different clinical contexts, are not as directly applicable in this scenario. A complete blood count is more focused on evaluating overall health and detecting conditions like infection or anemia. A urine culture is primarily used to diagnose urinary tract infections, which may not be the immediate concern here given the specific symptoms. Ur