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Acid loading test (pH)
Definition:
This is a test to measure the ability of the renal (kidney) tubules to acidify urine in the presence of increased plasma acidity. See also urine pH. How the test is performed:
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There are several ways to perform this test. A typical procedure is described below, but make sure that you follow the specific instructions that you are given. A urine sample and a blood sample are needed to perform this test. The laboratory analyzes the samples for acid. Urine sample collection: Collect a "clean-catch" (midstream) urine sample. To obtain a clean-catch sample, men or boys should wipe clean the head of the penis. Women or girls need to wash the area between the lips of the vagina with soapy water and rinse well. As you start to urinate, allow a small amount to fall into the toilet bowl (this clears the urethra of contaminants). Then, in a clean container, catch about 1 to 2 ounces of urine and remove the container from the urine stream. Give the container to the health care provider or assistant. For an infant, thoroughly wash the area around the urethra. Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on your infant. For boys, the entire penis can be placed in the bag and the adhesive attached to the skin. For girls, the bag is placed over the labia. Place a diaper over the infant (bag and all). Check your baby frequently and remove the bag after the infant has urinated into it. For active infants, this procedure may take a couple of attempts -- lively infants can displace the bag. The urine is drained into a container for transport back to the health care provider.
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