Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

What is the condition associated with increased urine urobilinogen?

1. Not normally found in urine

2. Increased with obstructive jaundice

3. Measured using a test based on Ehrlich's reagent

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: Increased with obstructive jaundice

The correct choice is associated with the relationship between urine urobilinogen levels and liver function or bile flow. Increased urine urobilinogen is typically observed in conditions where there is excessive hemolysis, liver disease, or other instances where the liver is processing bilirubin more than normal. These conditions might include hemolytic anemia or hepatic conditions that cause a high turnover of red blood cells, leading to elevated levels of bilirubin being converted to urobilinogen. It’s important to understand that urobilinogen itself is produced in the intestines through the action of bacteria on bilirubin. Normally, urobilinogen is excreted in urine; however, if the liver's ability to remove bilirubin is impaired, or there is increased production due to hemolysis, more urobilinogen will appear in the urine. While urobilinogen is indeed measured using specific tests, such as those based on Ehrlich's reagent, this does not characterize the condition directly associated with increased levels in urine. Conditions like obstructive jaundice typically lead to decreased urobilinogen levels in urine because bilirubin is not reaching the intestines due to bile duct obstructions, causing this option to be incorrect. So, the choice focusing