What is the primary use of a urinalysis?

The primary use of a urinalysis is to assess the health of the urinary system and detect systemic diseases. This comprehensive test evaluates various components of urine, such as appearance, concentration, pH, specific gravity, and the presence of substances like glucose, protein, ketones, and bilirubin. These findings can indicate possible infections, kidney dysfunction, and other systemic illnesses that may affect overall health.

Urinalysis plays a crucial role in diagnosing conditions like urinary tract infections, diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disorders. By providing insights into how well the kidneys are functioning and whether any metabolic imbalances exist, a urinalysis serves as an essential tool in both routine health screenings and the management of existing health conditions.

The other options, while related to laboratory testing, do not encompass the primary function of a urinalysis as comprehensively as assessing urinary health and systemic diseases does.