Urine sediment: which statement is true?

• A. Specific gravity is not part of urinalysis
• B. A few hyaline casts may be seen in normal urine
• C. Eosinophils are never seen in urine
• D. Urine sediment evaluation is rarely used

Answer: (B)

In urine sediment analysis, small numbers of hyaline casts can be a normal finding. They’re simple cylinders made mainly of Tamm-Horsfall protein and may appear in healthy urine, especially after exercise or dehydration. This makes the statement true.

Specific gravity is a standard part of urinalysis because it helps interpret the concentration of the urine and contextualize other findings, so saying it's not part of urinalysis is inaccurate. Eosinophils can appear in urine in certain conditions, such as drug-induced interstitial nephritis, so claiming they are never seen is incorrect. Urine sediment evaluation is a routine, not rare, part of urinalysis used to detect casts, cells, crystals, and other elements.