Normal urinalysis nitrite level is:

• A. Negative
• B. Positive
• C. Trace
• D. Not measured

Answer: (A)

Nitrite testing in urinalysis serves as a screen for urinary tract infections because many bacteria that cause these infections reduce nitrates in urine to nitrites. In a normal, uninfected urine sample, there are no bacteria producing nitrite, so nitrite is not present and the result is negative. Thus the normal nitrite level is negative. It’s helpful to remember that a negative nitrite doesn’t completely rule out infection, since some organisms don’t produce nitrite or the urine may not have dwelled in the bladder long enough for conversion, and other indicators like leukocyte esterase may still be positive.