What would you expect to find in a urea analysis for nephritic syndrome?

In nephritic syndrome, the hallmark of the urinalysis is the presence of red blood cell (RBC) casts. This finding is indicative of glomerular injury, which allows RBCs to leak into the urine. The casts form when red blood cells become trapped in the protein matrix of the renal tubules and then get excreted in the urine, reflecting ongoing inflammation and damage within the glomeruli.

The other options are less characteristic of nephritic syndrome. For instance, while nephritic syndrome may include some degree of proteinuria, it typically does not reach the level of greater than 3.5 g/day, which is more common in nephrotic syndrome. Presence of bacteria would suggest a urinary tract infection rather than nephritic syndrome itself. Meanwhile, finding glucose in the urine is not a typical feature of nephritic syndrome and is more associated with conditions such as diabetes. Therefore, the presence of RBC casts is a specific and distinguishing characteristic of nephritic syndrome in urinalysis.