Critical Care Lab Values and Interpretation

Practice flashcards covering essential lab values, blood counts, electrolytes, renal and liver function, cardiac markers, and clinical formulas based on the lecture transcript.

CBC

Standing for Complete Blood Count, this test measures white blood cells and red blood cells.

White Blood Cells (WBC)

A measure of inflammation or infection with a normal range of $4,000$ to $11,000$.

Eosinophils

A specific white blood cell count that may be elevated in patients with allergic asthmatic components.

Hemoglobin (Hb)

The measurement of a patient's oxygen carrying capacity, with a normal range of $12$ to $17\,g/dL$.

Hematocrit

The percentage of red blood cells in the blood flow compared to plasma; it can be estimated using the formula $\text{Hemoglobin} \times 3 = \text{Approximate Hematocrit}$.

Rapid Infuser

A device used in emergency hemorrhaging situations to warm blood to $37\,^\circ\text{C}$ and squeeze it in quickly using a pressure bag.

Universal Donor Blood Type

O-negative blood, which is given in emergency situations when the patient's specific blood type is unknown.

MTP

Standing for Massive Transfusion Protocol, this is an alert used during trauma or hemorrhaging situations requiring rapid administration of blood products.

DIC

Disseminating Intravascular Coagulopathy, a disorder where the patient's blood fails to clot, often seen in severe surgical or OB emergencies.

Sodium ($Na^+$)

An electrolyte essential for muscle function with a normal range of $135$ to $145\,mEq/L$.

Potassium ($K^+$)

An electrolyte with a narrow normal range of $3.5$ to $5.0\,mEq/L$; levels outside this range can cause muscle spasms or cardiac arrest.

Chloride ($Cl^-$)

A major electrolyte involved in muscle function with a normal range of $98$ to $106\,mEq/L$.

Anion Gap

A calculation used to specifically interpret blood gases for metabolic acidosis, with a normal range of $8$ to $12$.

BUN

Blood Urea Nitrogen, a measurement of renal function with a normal range of $7$ to $20\,mg/dL$.

Creatinine

A measurement of renal function with a normal range of $0.6$ to $1.3\,mg/dL$.

Glucose

The energy chemical for cells with a normal range of $70$ to $110\,mg/dL$; levels above $400\,mg/dL$ may lead to Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA).

Lactate level

A measurement of lactic acid used to detect tissue hypoxia, shock, or sepsis, with a normal range of $0.5$ to $2.0\,mmol/L$.

Rhabdomyolysis (Rhabdo)

A condition where muscles break down due to excessive acid, which may cause an increase in lactate levels.

PT (Prothrombin Time)

A coagulation study measuring the number of seconds it takes blood to clot, normally $11$ to $13.5\,\text{seconds}$.

INR

A standardized coagulation measurement with a normal range of $0.8$ to $1.2$.

PTT

A coagulation measurement with a normal range of $25$ to $35\,\text{seconds}$.

Jaundice

The yellowing of the skin or eyes caused by an excessive amount of bilirubin produced by the liver.

Troponin

A cardiac marker used to indicate a myocardial infarction (heart attack).

BNP

A cardiac marker used as an indicator for heart failure, CHF, or pulmonary edema.

Winter's Formula

A formula used in metabolic acidosis to determine the target $PCO_2$: $\text{Bicarbonate} \times 1.5 + 8 \pm 2$.