From understanding hydration levels to testing for early signs of disease, urine can be a great way to understand a person’s health. But, when urine turns a color of the rainbow other than yellow, it can be a big surprise. Do you know the cause and management of these five unique urine color presentations?
1. Glowing Urine
A 17-year-old is found collapsed in their home, unconscious and unresponsive. EMS is called and the patient is brought to the hospital. On physical examination pupils are reactive to light, but muscle reflexes are hyperactive. The patient seizes twice in the four hours since their admission. When a UV light is held up to the urine, it glows a neon green.
What do you think is causing this presentation? Find out in our urine color quiz
2. Orange Urine
This red-orange urine color is a unique side effect of a particular drug. While taking this medication, patients can expect their urine and other bodily fluids, such as tears and saliva, to turn a red-orange/red-brown color.
Do you know what medication would cause this? Test your knowledge in our quiz
3. Purple Urine
A 90-year-old with an indwelling catheter is in a long-term care facility. A nurse empties the catheter bag and notices the urine is purple. The patient is asymptomatic.
What do you think is causing this presentation? Take our quiz to find out
4. Green Urine
This green urine is caused by a certain course of treatment.
Which on the following medications do you think it is? Is it hydroxycobalamine, metronidazole, propofol, or rifampin? Find out in question four of our quiz
5. Blue Urine
A 25-year-old visits their local clinic and complains their urine has turned blue. The patient has a history of plaque psoriasis which they’re currently being treated for by a dermatologist.
What might the course of treatment be? Take our quiz to see if you know the answer
Published September 19, 2022
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