Common Lab Values and Nursing Considerations

Practice flashcards based on common lab values and nursing considerations for clinical practice.

What does BMP stand for in lab testing?

Basic Metabolic Panel

What are the primary components measured in a BMP?

Glucose, sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide, chloride, calcium, BUN, creatinine

What additional tests are included in a CMP?

BMP plus albumin, total protein, ALP, ALT, AST, and bilirubin

What is the normal range for sodium in mEq/L?

135 – 145 mEq/L

What is considered hyponatremia?

Sodium level lower than 135 mEq/L

What are common causes of hyponatremia?

Excessive GI fluid loss, excessive water ingestion, excessive diuresis, conditions causing the body to hold onto fluid.

How should a nurse respond to hypernatremia?

Fluid replacement and monitoring for worsening symptoms.

What is the critical sodium level indicating severe hyponatremia?

< 120 mEq/L.

What is the normal range for potassium in mEq/L?

3.5 – 5.0 mEq/L.

What are common causes of hypokalemia?

Inadequate intake of K+, GI losses, renal losses.

What treatment should be given for hypokalemia?

Oral or parenteral potassium replacement.

What is considered hyperkalemia?

Potassium level higher than 5.0 mEq/L.

What are signs of hyperkalemia?

Muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, parasthesias.

What is the normal range for magnesium in mg/dL?

1.6 – 2.3 mg/dL.

What are common causes of hypomagnesemia?

Chronic alcoholism, diabetic ketoacidosis, GI losses.

What are the critical magnesium levels?

Critical: > 4.0 mg/dL.

What is the normal range for calcium in mg/dL?

9 – 11 mg/dL.

What is considered hypocalcemia?

Calcium level less than 9 mg/dL.

What is the normal range for Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) in mg/dL?

10 – 20 mg/dL.

What can cause increased BUN levels?

Acute renal failure, CHF, hypovolemia-dehydration.

What is the normal range for creatinine in mg/dL?

0.5 – 1.3 mg/dL.

What is a critical level for creatinine?

Greater than 1.3 mg/dL.

What does WBC stand for and what is its normal range?

White Blood Count, normal range is 4,500 – 11,000 cells/mm3.

What can elevated WBC indicate?

Infection, inflammation, stress.

What is troponin used to diagnose?

Cardiac ischemia or acute myocardial infarction.

What is a normal troponin level?

< 0.05 ng/mL.

What does BNP stand for and what does it indicate?

Brain Natriuretic Peptide; indicates heart failure when elevated.

What is the normal BNP level?

< 100 pg/mL.