Which urinalysis finding would be considered abnormal and suggest infection?</n>

• A. Trace leucocytes
• B. Absence of leucocytes
• C. pH 7.0
• D. No bacteria on culture

Answer: (A)

Presence of white blood cells in urine signals inflammation from the urinary tract, which is a response to infection. Even a trace amount of leukocytes is abnormal and indicates pyuria, a clue that a urinary tract infection may be present. The body sends these immune cells to the site of bacterial invasion, so finding leukocytes means the urinary system is reacting to something invading, which is why this finding best suggests infection.

The other options fit less with infection: no leukocytes would be a normal finding and argues against infection; a pH of 7.0 is within the typical, expected range for urine and not by itself abnormal; no bacteria on culture makes a bacterial infection unlikely (though culture results must be interpreted with clinical context).