Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) ASCP Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Triple phosphate crystals are frequently encountered in alkaline urine specimens due to the alkaline pH promoting their precipitation. These crystals, also known as struvite crystals, are often formed in the presence of certain urinary alkalinizing conditions, such as urinary tract infections caused by urea-splitting bacteria. The components of triple phosphate crystals include magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate, and they appear as large, rectangular, or coffin lid-shaped structures under a microscope. The presence of these crystals can indicate a potential infection or alteration in the urine's composition, making their identification clinically significant.

Other types of crystals mentioned, such as amorphous urate, calcium oxalate, and cystine crystals, are typically associated with different urinary pH levels and conditions. While amorphous urate crystals may be found in acidic urine, calcium oxalate crystals can vary in formation depending on hydration status and dietary factors, and cystine crystals are associated with a genetic disorder specifically impacting cystine metabolism. Therefore, recognizing the type and context of crystal formation is essential in laboratory diagnostics.