Acid loading test (pH)

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Female urinary tract

Male urinary tract

For an infant or young child, the area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.

Take ammonium chloride capsules orally for 3 days prior to the test. Then a sample of urine and blood are taken (see above). The blood sample is necessary to prove that the ammonium chloride had the desired effect of making the blood slightly acidic.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

The test checks the ability of the kidneys to regulate acid-base status.

Review Date: 03/02/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel R. Alexander, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.