A urinalysis is performed on a client in her third trimester of pregnancy. Which of the following results would be considered abnormal?

• A. Mildly increased urinary frequency
• B. Presence of nitrites
• C. Slightly acidic urine pH
• D. Trace protein

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of the problem, which involves interpreting urinalysis results during the third trimester of pregnancy. Recognize that some changes in urine are normal during pregnancy due to physiological adaptations.
2. Step 2: Review common normal findings in pregnancy-related urinalysis, such as mildly increased urinary frequency (due to pressure on the bladder), slightly acidic urine pH (normal range is typically 4.5 to 8), and trace amounts of protein (which can be normal due to increased kidney filtration).
3. Step 3: Identify abnormal findings by understanding what each urinalysis component indicates. The presence of nitrites in urine usually suggests a bacterial infection, as certain bacteria convert nitrates to nitrites.
4. Step 4: Recognize that the presence of nitrites is not a normal finding and indicates a possible urinary tract infection (UTI), which requires medical attention, especially during pregnancy.
5. Step 5: Conclude that among the options given, the presence of nitrites is the abnormal result in a third-trimester pregnant client’s urinalysis.