Mock Urinalysis Demonstration: Making Connections among Acid–Base Chemistry, Redox Reactions, and Healthcare in an Undergraduate Nursing Course

• Published in: Journal of chemical education Vol. 97; no. 7; pp. 1976 - 1983
• Main Author: Mahaffey, Angela L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Easton American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc 14.07.2020; American Chemical Society
• Subjects: Acidosis; Alkalosis; Analytical chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemical reactions; Chemistry; College students; Colorimetry; Curricula; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic ketoacidosis; Diagnostic systems; Health care; Health Occupations; Learning; Nurses; Nursing Students; Organic Chemistry; Redox reactions; Students; Teaching methods; Urinalysis; Urine; First-Year Undergraduate/General; Hands-On Learning/Manipulatives; Nonmajor Courses; Acids/Bases; Interdisciplinary/Multidisciplinary; pH; Solutions/Solvents
• ISSN: 0021-9584; 1938-1328
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.9b01086

A mock urine chemical analysis demonstration was designed for an undergraduate chemistry for health professions course, mainly composed of undergraduate nursing students. This demonstration was presented after a midsemester lecture series on acid–base chemistry, redox reactions, and colorimetry in chemical education and medical diagnostic practices. Chemistry is a first-year core subject in undergraduate health professions (nursing, exercise sciences, premedical, etc.) curricula, making it an important topic for teaching and learning. Here, a demonstration was created to help nursing students visualize the role of acid–base, redox chemistry, and colorimetry, in relation to healthcare diagnostics. Five mock urine sample solutions were made, using “everyday” grocery items and several lab materials, to simulate five patient samples: metabolic alkalosis, muscular degenerative disease, glycosuria/diabetes mellitus, metabolic acidosis, and diabetic acidosis/ketoacidosis. The undergraduate health professions students (127 of 148 polled) were able to learn acid–base and redox chemistry while solving the mystery of a “scenario” urine sample. Additionally, students responded well to this demonstration, with 137 of 148 polled recommending this demonstration for future chemistry for health professions classrooms. These mock urine samples are easy to make and are a cost-effective, student friendly, and engaging way to illustrate acid–base and redox chemistry to undergraduate health professions students. The results of the mock urine sample analysis (using urine diagnostic strips) were reproduced in three separate student groups totaling nearly 170 individuals.