National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) DOT Practice Exam

An abnormal result in urinalysis (dip stick) for which of the following mandates temporary disqualification?

1. Protein

2. Blood

3. Glucose

4. NONE of the above

The correct answer is: NONE of the above

In the context of a urinalysis as part of the DOT medical exam, an abnormal result may indicate potential health issues that could affect a driver's ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle. While an abnormal finding such as the presence of protein, blood, or glucose in the urine can be concerning and warrant further investigation, none of these findings necessarily leads to an automatic temporary disqualification under the current guidelines. For instance, protein in the urine could suggest kidney issues, while blood could indicate a urinary tract infection or injury, and glucose may suggest diabetes. Instead of requiring immediate disqualification, these findings typically require further evaluation to determine the specific cause and whether it poses a risk to driving safety. This means that while they indicate a potential health concern, they do not directly lead to a temporary suspension of driving privileges unless accompanied by further medical evidence that confirms a driver's ineligibility. Therefore, the correct understanding is that there is no automatic temporary disqualification solely based on the abnormal results of protein, blood, or glucose in urinalysis. Instead, medical professionals assess each case individually based on a comprehensive evaluation of the driver’s health and symptoms.