BENEDICT’S TEST

Benedict’s test is used to test for the presence of glucose in urine.

Using the urine specimen in a community health setting can be beneficial in determining
the sugar level.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. To determine the presence or absence of reducing sugar in the solution.

2. To determine the glucose concentration in the solution quantitatively.

PRETEST

Name: Course & Year:

Date:

General Direction: This is a 10 item test, read each directions written in every type
of test. Answer this with sincerity.

A. Identification: Write the correct answer in the space provided.

1. Benedict’s test is used test for the presence of _____________.

B. Enumeration: List down 4 equipment for the Benedict’s test.

1. ________________ 4. ________________
2. ________________
3. ________________
 C. Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer and write on the
blank provided before each number.

________1. The benedict’s test identifies which of the specific reducing sugars?

A. Monosaccharide’s and some disaccharides

B. Oligosaccharides
C. Polysaccharides.
D. NONE

________2. When Benedict’s solution and simple carbohydrates are heated, the
solution changes to what color?

A. Yellow
B. Green
C. Orange red/ brick red
D. Pink

________3. Negative Benedict’s test changes to what color?

A. Blue
B. No change in color
C. Brick red
D. Orange

_________4. Place _____ ml of Benedict’s solution in a clean test tube.

A. 2 ml
B. 5 ml
C. 10 ml
D. 0.5 ml

_________5. Add ________ of urine and heat till it boils.

A. 5-6 drops
B. 1-2 drops
C. 3-4 drops
D. 1 drop

Thank you for answering the test.

The next section is the content of this unit. It

contains vital information of the topics based on the
learning outcomes. Please read.
 CONTENT

BENEDICT’S TEST

The Benedict’s test - identifies reducing sugars (monosaccharide’s and some

disaccharides), which have free ketone or aldehyde functional groups.

- Benedict’s solution can be used to test for the presence

of glucose in urine.

- Some sugars such as glucose are called reducing sugars

because they are capable of transferring hydrogens
(electrons) to other compounds, a process called reduction.

- When reducing sugars are mixed with Benedicts reagent and

heated, a reduction reaction causes the Benedicts reagent to
change color. The color varies from green to dark red (brick)
or rusty-brown, depending on the amount of and type of
sugar.

Equipment:

• A bottle of benedict’s solution • Alcohol lamp

• Fresh catch urine (Early morning, • Match

mid-stream flow)
• Soap in a soap dish
• Test tubes
• Apron
• Dropper
• Cloth lining, paper lining, hand
• Test tube holder towel
Principle of Benedict’s Test

- When Benedict’s solution and simple carbohydrates are

heated, the solution changes to orange red/ brick red. This
reaction is caused by the reducing property of simple
carbohydrates. The copper (II) ions in the Benedict’s
solution are reduced to Copper (I) ions, which causes the
color change.

• Positive benedict’s test: color change from blue to brick red ppt ( glucose)
• Negative Benedict’s test: no change in color( sucrose)
Color observed Sugar % Result interpretation

Blue Nil Absent of suagr

Green color 0.5% +

Green ppt 0.5-1% ++

Yellow ppt 1-1.5% +++

Orange ppt 1.5-2% ++++

Brick red ppt >2% +++++

 Benedict’s Test
(Test for Sugar in the Urine)

Objectives:

1. To determine the presence or absence of reducing sugar in the solution.

2. To determine the glucose concentration in the solution quantitatively.

Equipment:

• A bottle of benedict’s solution • Match

• Fresh catch urine • Soap in a soap dish
• Test tubes • Apron
• Test tube holder • Cloth lining, paper lining, hand
• Alcohol lamp towel

Procedure:

STEPS RATIONALE
1. Gather the necessary equipment - To have an easy access to the
equipment and hard-to reach areas

2. Place the paper lining clean side out on a

table or any clean, flat surface away from
the client.

3. Spread the plastic lining over the paper

lining, clean side in.

4. Place the bag in the area away from

the client, tucking handles beneath the bag.
5. Open the bag; take out soap in dish, towel
and apron.

6. Do thorough hand washing. Dry hands, - Removes dirt or microorganisms.

It is the most effective measure in
place soap/dish and towel near the bag.
reducing the risk of transmitting
diseases
7. Put on apron, right side out.
-

8. Take out 2 droppers, a test tube and holder,

- Protects the uniform from being
and place these in the kidney basin. Take soiled and prevent the spread of
microorganism
out the alcohol lamp, match .Benedict’s
solution and place them on the work area.

9. Place the waste receptacle at one corner of

the work area.

10. Light the lamp.

11. Place 5ml of Benedict’s solution in a clean

test tube

12. Hold test tube over the flame or place the

test tube upright in a pan of boiling water
and bring to a boil to heat.

13. Pass the test tube with mixture over the

flame, mouth of the TT should be away
from you and the client.
- To obtain accurate result
14. Add 2-3 drops of urine and heat till it boils

15. Allow to boil for 5 minutes then stand for a

few seconds - To detect deviation from normal
one
16. Check for the color and observe for changes
17. Document the result - To determine presence of the
amount of sugar in the urine
Interpretation:

Blue - Negative
- provides an accurate reflection of
nursing assessments
Green - +

Yellow - ++

Orange - +++

Brick Red - ++++

18. Do after care of the equipment

19. Wash hands thoroughly and dry with clean

cloth
- Removes dirt or microorganisms.
It is the most effective measure in
20. Remove apron away from the body, folding reducing the risk of transmitting
contaminated part in. Place over the flaps of diseases
the bag.

21. Fold the plastic lining contaminated part in.

Place over the flaps of the bag.

22. Hold the bag with one hand, and with the
other hand fold the paper lining ,
contaminated part in. Place over the plastic
lining.

23. Close the bag

Name: Date:
Course & Year: Block:

PERFORMANCE CHECKLIST

Benedict’s Test

S U Remarks
Steps
1. Gather the necessary equipment

2. Place the paper lining clean side out on a table

or any clean, flat surface away from the client.
3. Spread the plastic lining over the paper lining,
clean side in.
4. Place the bag in the area away from the client,
tucking handles beneath the bag.
5. Open the bag; take out soap in dish, towel and
apron.
6. Do thorough hand washing. Dry hands, place
soap/dish and towel near the bag.

7. Put on apron, right side out.

8. Take out 2 droppers, a test tube and holder, and

place these in the kidney basin. Take out the
alcohol lamp, match .Benedict’s solution and
place them on the work area.
9. Place the waste receptacle at one corner of the
work area.
10. Light the lamp.
11. Place 5ml of Benedict’s solution in a clean test
tube
 12. Hold test tube over the flame or place the test
tube upright in a pan of boiling water and bring
to a boil to heat.
13. Pass the test tube with mixture over the flame,
mouth of the TT should be away from you and
the client.
14. Add 2-3 drops of urine and heat till it boils
15. Allow to boil for 5 minutes then stand for a few
seconds
16. Check for the color and observe for changes

17. Document the result

Interpretation:

Blue - Negative
Green - +
Yellow - ++
Orange - +++
Brick Red - ++++

18. Do after care of the equipment

19. Wash hands thoroughly and dry with clean clot
20. Remove apron away from the body, folding
contaminated part in. Place over the flaps of
the bag.
21. Fold the plastic lining contaminated part in.
Place over the flaps of the bag.
22. Hold the bag with one hand, and with the other
hand fold the paper lining , contaminated part
in. Place over the plastic lining.
23. Close the bag

Remarks:

To repeat procedure: ____

Satisfactorily done:______

______________________ _________________________
Students Name & Signature Clinical Instructor’s Name & Signature