Read the results at 2 minutes in a good light. Pad colors may continue to change after 2 minutes – therefore, it is essential to read the results promptly, as color changes that may occur after a significant time has passed are of no diagnostic significance.
Urinalysis strip (dipstick) is a narrow plastic strip which has several square-shaped pads of different colors attached to it. Each small pad represents a component of the test used to interpret urinalysis. When dipped in the urine, pad colors change in response to the chemical characteristics of the urine. The color changes are noted at specific time intervals and compared against the reference color chart/key.