What investigations should be performed for a patient presenting with

Guideline-aligned answer with reasoning, red flags and references. Clinically reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP.

Investigations for a patient presenting with symptoms of urethritis should include:

A urine dipstick test to detect leukocytes, nitrites, blood, and protein, using an appropriately collected urine sample such as a clean-catch midstream specimen. This helps identify infection or inflammation in the urinary tract.
If the dipstick test and symptoms suggest infection, send a urine sample for bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing before starting antibiotics. This allows targeted treatment based on the causative organism.
Consider testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, as these are common causes of urethritis (implied by the clinical context of urethritis and standard practice, although not explicitly detailed in the provided excerpts).

These investigations help confirm the diagnosis, identify the causative pathogen, and guide appropriate management.

What investigations should be performed for a patient presenting with urethritis symptoms?