Ureanitdiafpmcnc
This test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the fluid used for peritoneal dialysis, helping doctors evaluate how well the dialysis treatment is removing waste from your blood.
{"Measures urea waste removed from blood during peritoneal dialysis","Helps assess if dialysis is working effectively","Higher urea levels in dialysis fluid indicate better waste removal","Regular monitoring helps optimize dialysis treatment","Results help your doctor adjust your dialysis prescription if needed"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 17757-6
- Short code
- PD Urea N
- Synonyms
- Urea nit DiafP-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile plastic container or specific peritoneal dialysis collection bag
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 7
- Ref high
- 20
- Critical range
- — – 100 not specified
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 18 years
- Method
- Enzymatic or spectrophotometric method for urea nitrogen quantification
- CPT
- 84520
- SNOMED
- 236435004
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL of dialysis fluid
- Stability
- Stable for up to 72 hours at 2-8°C; for longer storage, freeze at -20°C or below
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid Urea Nitrogen test measures how much urea nitrogen is present in the dialysis solution after it has been in your abdomen for a period of time. Urea is a waste product that comes from breaking down protein in your body. Normally, your kidneys remove urea from your blood, but when kidneys fail, dialysis does this job instead.
During peritoneal dialysis, a special cleaning solution (dialysate) is placed into your abdominal cavity through a catheter. This fluid draws waste products, including urea, from your blood through the peritoneal membrane. After several hours, the fluid is drained out and tested to see how much urea it has collected.
How is the test performed?
Your healthcare team will instruct you to drain the dialysis solution from your abdomen after it has been there for the prescribed dwell time. This fluid is collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory measures the concentration of urea nitrogen in the fluid to determine how effectively your dialysis treatment is working.
Why is this test important?
This test provides crucial information about the adequacy of your dialysis treatment. By measuring how much urea is being removed, your doctor can determine if your current dialysis prescription is effective or needs adjustment. Proper dialysis helps prevent complications of kidney failure such as fluid overload, electrolyte imbalances, and buildup of toxic waste in your body.
Reference range
Adult: 7-20 mg/dLnot specified
No special preparation required; sample obtained from peritoneal dialysis effluent per clinical protocol
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
Does this test hurt?
How often should this test be done?
What do the results mean?
Do I need to fast before this test?
What happens if my results show inadequate dialysis?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy