LABORATORY VALUES

What is the normal BLEEDING TIME?

CORRECT ANSWER:

1.5-9.5 minutes.

What is the normal HEMATOCRIT (Hct)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Males: 42% - 52%

Females: 35% - 47%

What is the normal ACTIVATED PARTIAL THROMBOPLASTIN TIME (aPTT)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

20 - 40 seconds;

46 - 70 seconds in Heparin therapy.

What is the normal LEUKOCYTE COUNT (WBC)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

4,500 - 11,000 /cu mm;

4.5 - 11 × 10⁹/L.

What is the normal PROTHROMBIN TIME (PT)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

9.5 - 12 seconds.

What is the normal NEUTROPHIL LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

45% - 73%

What is the normal INTERNATIONAL NORMALIZED RATIO (INR)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

1 - 2 seconds;

2 - 3 seconds for anti-coagulant therapy

What is the normal EOSINOPHIL LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

0% - 4%

What is the normal ERYTHROCYTE COUNT (RBC)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Males: 4,600,000 - 6,200,000/cu mm;

Females: 4,200,000 - 5,400,000/cu mm.

What is the normal BASOPHIL LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

0% - 1%

What is the normal RETICULOCYTE COUNT?

CORRECT ANSWER:

2% - 8%

What is the normal LYMPHOCYTE LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

20% - 40%

What is the normal ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATE (ESR)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Males under 50yr: <15 mm/h;

Females under 50yr: <25 mm/h.

What is the normal PLATELET COUNT?

CORRECT ANSWER:

150,000 - 450,000/cu mm.

What is the normal HEMOGLOBIN (Hgb)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Males: 13 - 18 g/dL

Females: 12 - 16 g/dL

What is the normal ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE (ALP)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

50-120 UL

What is the normal CALCITONIN LEVEL after stimulation tests?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Males: <350 pg/mL

Females: <100 pg/mL

What is the normal ALPHA-1-FETOPROTEIN?

CORRECT ANSWER:

<15 ng/mL

What is the normal CHOLESTEROL LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

150-200 mg/dL

What is the normal AMMONIA LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

15-45 μg/dL

11-32/μmol/L

What is the normal CREATINE LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

0.2-0.8 mg/mL

15.3-61 μmol/L

What is the normal AMYLASE LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

30-110 U/L

What is the normal CREATINE PHOSPHOKINASE (CPK) level?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Males: 50-325 mU/mL

Females: 50-250 mU/mL

What is the normal AST (ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE, FORMERLY SGOT)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Males: 10-40 U/L

Females: 15-30 U/L

What is the normal SERUM CREATININE LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

0.6-1.2 mg/dL

What is the normal ALT (ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE, FORMERLY SGPT)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Males: 10-40 U/mL

Females: 8-35 U/mL

What is the normal CREATININE CLEARANCE?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Males: 85-125 mL/min

Females: 75-115 mL/min

What is the normal BILIRUBIN LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Total: 0.3-1.0 mg/dL

Direct: 0.1-0.4 mg/dL

Indirect: 0.1-0.4 mg/dL

What is the normal FOLIC ACID LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

2.5-20 ng/mL

6-46 nmol/L

What is the normal CATECHOLAMINE LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Epinephrine: <100 pg/mL

Norepinephrine: <400 pg/mL

Dopamine: <143 pg/mL

What is the normal GLUCOSE LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Fasting: 60-110 mg/dL

Postprandial (2 h): 65-140 mg/dL

What is the normal CALCITONIN?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Males: <350 pg/mL

Females: <100 pg/mL

What is the normal ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE?

CORRECT ANSWER:

50-120 UL

What is the normal CHOLESTEROL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

150-200 mg/dL

What is the normal ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN?

CORRECT ANSWER:

<15 ng/mL

What is the normal CREATINE KINASE (CK)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

0.2-0.8 mg/mL

15.3-61 μmol/L

What is the normal CREATINE KINASE-MB (CK-MB)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

5-25 U/L

What is the normal ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE (AST)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Males: 10-40 U/L

Females: 15-30 U/L

What is the normal ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE (ALT)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Males: 10-40 U/mL

Females: 8-35 U/mL

What is the normal FOLIC ACID LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

2.5-20 ng/mL

6-46 nmol/L

What is the normal ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Fasting = 125

1 hour = 190

2 hours = 140

3 hours = 125

What is the normal LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE?

CORRECT ANSWER:

90-176 U/L

What is the normal GLYCOHEMOGLOBIN (Hemoglobin A1C) LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

4.4%-6.4%

What is the normal LIPASE LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

400 - 800 mg/dL

What is the normal LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN CHOLESTEROL LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

<100 mg/dL if CAD is present

<160 mg/dL if no CAD.

What is the normal TOTAL LIPID LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

400 - 800 mg/dL

What is the normal HIGH-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN CHOLESTEROL LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

Males: 35-70 mg/dL

Females: 35 -85 mg/dL

What is the normal MYOGLOBIN LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

5 -70 ng/mL

What is the normal SERUM OSMOLALITY?

CORRECT ANSWER:

275-295 mOsmol/kg

What is the normal PARATHYROID HORMONE LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

10 - 65 pg/mL

What is the normal BLOOD UREA NITROGEN (BUN) LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

8 - 20 mg/dL

What is the normal PREALBUMIN LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

16 - 35 mg/dL

What is the normal URIC ACID LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

2.5 - 8 mg/dL

What is the normal PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

< 4 ng/mL

What is the normal LACTIC ACID LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

5 - 15 mg/dL

What is the normal TRIIODOTHYRONINE (T3) LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

70 - 204 ng/dL

What is the normal PHOSPHATE LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

2.5 - 4.5 mg/dL

What is the normal THYROXINE (T4) LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

5 - 11 mcg/dL

What is the normal SERUM POTASSIUM LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

3.5 - 5.3 mEq/L

What is the normal THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

0.4 - 4.2 mIU/L

What is the normal SERUM SODIUM LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

135 - 145 mEq/L

What is the normal TRIGLYCERIDE LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

100 - 200 mg/dL

What is the normal SERUM MAGNESIUM LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

1.5 - 2.5 mg/dL

What is the normal TROPONIN I LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

<0.35 ng/mL

What is the normal OXYGEN PARTIAL PRESSURE (PAO2)?

CORRECT ANSWER:

80 - 100 mm Hg

What is the normal TROPONIN T LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

<0.2 ng/mL

What is the normal BICARBONATE (HCO3) LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

22 - 28 meq/L

What is the normal SERUM CALCIUM LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

8.5 - 10.5 mg/dL

What is the normal CARBON DIOXIDE PARTIAL PRESSURE (PACO2) LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

35 - 45 mmHg

What is the normal SERUM CHLORIDE LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

97 - 107 mEq/L

What is the normal ARTERIAL PH (pH) LEVEL?

CORRECT ANSWER:

7.35 - 7.45

In clients with thrombocytopenia, is the bleeding time SHORTENED or PROLONGED?

CORRECT ANSWER:

PROLONGED

Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is usually monitored during HEPARIN or WARFARIN therapy?

CORRECT ANSWER:

HEPARIN THERAPY

Prothrombin time (PT) is usually monitored during HEPARIN or WARFARIN therapy?

CORRECT ANSWER:

WARFARIN THERAPY

When a client is dehydrated, is the hematocrit INCREASED or DECREASED?

CORRECT ANSWER:

INCREASED (due to hemoconcentration)

When a client has anemia, is the hemoglobin INCREASED or DECREASED?

CORRECT ANSWER:

DECREASED (due to low levels of red blood cells)

In clients with autoimmune diseases, is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) INCREASED or DECREASED?

CORRECT ANSWER:

INCREASED (due to inflammatory responses)

In a patient with hepatic carcinoma, is the alpha-fetoprotein level INCREASED or DECREASED?

CORRECT ANSWER:

INCREASED (due to malignant cells in the liver)

In a fetus with Trisomy 21, is the alpha-fetoprotein level INCREASED or DECREASED?

CORRECT ANSWER:

DECREASED (due to immaturity and genetic defects)

In a patient with parasitic disease, which white blood cell differential is expected to INCREASE?

CORRECT ANSWER:

EOSINOPHILS (basophils usually decrease)

In a patient with viral disease, which white blood cell differential is expected to INCREASE?

CORRECT ANSWER:

LYMPHOCYTES (especially in mononucleosis)

In a patient with severe liver disease, is the ammonia level INCREASED or DECREASED?

CORRECT ANSWER:

INCREASED (due to increased metabolic by-products)

To diagnose gestational diabetes mellitus, should the nurse prepare the client for a FASTING BLOOD SUGAR or an ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST?

CORRECT ANSWER:

ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (treated as the "gold standard" for pregnancy induced diabetes mellitus)

If an adult client's glycosylated hemoglobin is 9%, the nurse should consider this as GOOD or POOR glucose control?

CORRECT ANSWER:

POOR (since normal levels should be between 4 to 7 % only)

In a patient with megaloblastic anemia, is the folic acid level HIGH or LOW?

CORRECT ANSWER:

LOW (megaloblastic anemia is brought about by poor absorption of vitamin B9 or folic acid)

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are considered GOOD or BAD cholesterol?

CORRECT ANSWER:

GOOD (HDL attaches itself to fat and carries it towards the liver for proper metabolism whereas LDL carries fat towards coronary arteries resulting to atherosclerosis)

If a male client has prostate specific antigen level of 8 ng/mL, does this CONFIRM or SCREEN ONLY for prostate cancer?

CORRECT ANSWER:

SCREEN ONLY (A tissue biopsy confirms cancer)

Progesterone levels are higher during FOLLICULAR or LUTEAL PHASE?

CORRECT ANSWER:

LUTEAL PHASE (During follicular phase, progesterone can rise up to 0.8 ng/mL while during luteal phase progesterone levels may reach up to 20 ng/mL

In clients with severe preeclampsia, is the albumin level expected to be LOWER or HIGHER?

CORRECT ANSWER:

LOWER (excessive blood pressure during pregnancy results to excessive renal perfusion resulting to increased blood filtration of protein)

When rushing clients to the emergency room with unstable angina of unknown duration, should the nurse anticipate order for MYOGLOBIN or TROPONIN?

CORRECT ANSWER:

TROPONIN (since it can remain elevated for days after a heart attack)

In clients with Graves' disease, is the thyroid stimulating hormone level INCREASED or DECREASED?

CORRECT ANSWER:

DECREASED (due to to the presence of high levels of thyroid hormones in patients with Graves' disease, it suppresses the pituitary gland to produce TSH)

In clients who had a heart attack / myocardial infarction, which cardiac troponin remains elevated the LONGEST? Is it "I" or "T"?

CORRECT ANSWER:

T (Troponin T can remain elevated up to 2 weeks after the heart attack while Troponin I can go back to normal after 5 to 7 days from the myocardial infarction)

Patients with a positive Chvostek's and Trosseau's sign most likely have HIGH or LOW levels of calcium?

CORRECT ANSWER:

LOW (Chvostek's and Trosseau's are both signs of tetany which manifest due to low levels of calcium)

The most abundant electrolyte in extracellular fluid is

CORRECT ANSWER:

SODIUM (remember the mnemonic "PISO" - POTASSIUM IN SODIUM OUT)

The most abundant electrolyte in intracellular fluid is

CORRECT ANSWER:

POTASSIUM (remember the mnemonic "PISO" - POTASSIUM IN SODIUM OUT)

In an alcoholic client, is the serum magnesium level expected to be INCREASED or DECREASED?

CORRECT ANSWER:

DECREASED (ethanol promotes excretion and elimination of magnesium)

In patients with hyperemesis gravidarum, is the blood pH expected to be HIGH or LOW?

CORRECT ANSWER:

HIGH (Metabolic alkalosis results from excessive elimination of gastric acid during excessive vomiting.)

In patients who are having a panic attack, carbon dioxide levels in the blood are expected to GO UP or GO DOWN?

CORRECT ANSWER:

GO DOWN (Panic attacks manifest with hyperventilation resulting to elimination of carbon dioxide resulting to respiratory alkalosis)

If a client's ECG monitor presents a prominent U wave, does this indicate HIGH or LOW levels of potassium?

CORRECT ANSWER:

LOW (Hypokalemia usually manifests with ST segment depression, T wave inversion and prominent U wave)

In patients with pancreatitis, serum lipase and amylase levels are expected to be INCREASED or DECREASED?

CORRECT ANSWER:

INCREASED (This is due to autodigestion of the pancreas.)