common lab values

Hemoglobin (Hgb)

·   Normal Range:13.8-17.2 g/dL (men), 12–16 g/dL (female)

·   OT Implications: fatigue, activity tolerance, transfusion thresholds, may make it harder to compete ADLs due to fatigue, dizziness, headaches, swelling, O2 levels

Hematocrit (Hct)

·       Normal Range: 36–46%

·       Implications: fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpations

White Blood Cells (WBC)

·       Normal Range: 4,000-10,000 cells per mcL (4.0 to 10 k/mcL)

·       OT Implications (infection risk, isolation, endurance): higher infection risk, fever, sores, rashes

Platelets

·       Normal Range: 150,000 to 400,000 cells per mcL (150 to 400 k/mcL)

·       OT Implications (bleeding risk, fall risk, resistance):easy bruising, poor clotting, blood in urine, heavy menstrual cycle

Sodium (Na⁺)

·       Normal Range: 136 to 144 mmol/L

·       OT Implications (cognition, confusion, seizures): low (muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, headache, confusion, seizure)  high (excessive thirst, confusion lack of energy)

Chloride (Cl⁻)

·       Normal Range: 98 to 107 mmol/L

·       OT Implications: low (muscle weakness, dehydration, muscle cramps, nausea/vomiting, confusion)

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂ / Bicarbonate)

·       Normal Range: 22 to 30 mmol/L

·       OT Implications: acid–base balance, fatigue

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

·       Normal Range: 7 to 21 mg/dL

·       OT Implications: hydration status, renal function

Creatinine

·       Normal Range: 0.58 to 0.96 mg/dL

·       OT Implications (renal clearance, medication tolerance):

Glucose

·       Normal Range: 74 to 99 mg/dL

·       OT Implications: timing with meals/insulin, safety

Prothrombin Time (PT)

·       Normal Range: 10-13.5 seconds

·       OT Implications: how long it takes for blood to clot if patient gets hurt it’s a bleeding risk

International Normalized Ratio (INR)

·       Normal Range: 0.8-1.2

·       OT Implications (bleeding precautions): how long it takes for blood to clot if patient gets hurt it’s a bleeding risk

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT / aPTT)

·       Normal Range: 25-30 seconds

·       OT Implications: how long it takes for blood to clot if patient gets hurt it’s a bleeding risk