Section II: Lab Values and Urinalysis

• Common Blood Panels (CBC, BMP, Lipids) • Urinalysis Reference Chart • Clean-Catch, 24-Hour, and Random Samples • Reagent Strip Interpretation • Fasting vs Non-Fasting Tests

CBC (Complete Blood Count)

WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Platelets

WBC (White Blood Cells)

Normal range: 4,500–11,000/mm³

Purpose: Infection defense

If WBC is high, think infection

RBC (Red blood Cells)

Normal range: 4.2–5.9 million/mm³

Purpose: Oxygen transport

Hemoglobin (Hgb)

Normal range: 12-18g/dL

Purpose: Oxygen-carrying protein

If Hgb and Hct are low, think anemia

Hematocrit (Hct)

Normal range: 36-52%

Purpose: % of RBCs in blood

Platelets (Plt)

Normal range: 150,000–400,000/mm³

Purpose: Blood clotting

BMP (Basic Metabolic Panel)

Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Calcium, Glucose, BUN

Sodium (Na+)

Normal Range: 135–145 mEq/L

Monitors: Hydration & nerves

Potassium (K+)

Normal Range: 3.5–5.1 mEq/L

Monitors: Heart function

If potassium is above 5.1, that’s hyperkalemia and could affect the heart

Chloride (Cl-)

Normal Range: 98–107 mEq/L

Monitors: Fluid balance

Calcium (Ca 2+)

Normal Range: 8.4–10.2 mg/dL

Monitors: Bones & muscle

Glucose (Fasting)

Normal Range: 70–99 mg/dL

Monitors: Blood sugar

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

Normal Range: 7-20 mg/dL

Monitors: Kidney function

Creatinine

Normal Range: 0.6–1.3 mg/dL

Monitors: Kidney function

Lipid Panel

Total cholesterol LDL, HDL, Triglycerides

Total Cholesterol

Normal Range: <200 mg/dL

Purpose: Overall lipid level

LDL (Lousy)

Normal Range: <100 mg/dL

Purpose: Bad cholesterol

HDL (Happy)

Normal Range: >40 mg/dL (men), >50 mg/dL (women)

Purpose: Good cholesterol

Triglycerides

Normal Range: >150 mg/dL

Purpose: Fat in blood

Urinalysis Reference Chart

Component Normal Finding

Color: Pale yellow to amber

Clarity: Clear

pH: 4.5–8.0

Specific Gravity: 1.005–1.030

Protein: Negative

Glucose: Negative

Ketones: Negative

Bilirubin: Negative

Blood: Negative

Nitrites: Negative

Leukocytes: Negative

*If glucose or ketones are present, suspect diabetes. If leukocytes or nitrites are present, think UTI.

Clean-Catch Midstream

Used to detect infection; patient cleans area, catches midstream.

Best for reducing contamination and is used in culture and sensitivity tests

24-Hour Collection

Timed collection for kidney function (e.g., creatinine clearance); discard first urine, collect all others for 24 hrs

Random Collection

Most common; used for routine screening

Reagent Strip/Dipstick Reminders

• Check date on bottle before use

• Hold strip horizontally to prevent mixing pads

• Compare colors to the bottle at the right time mark

• Used to detect: pH, protein, glucose, ketones, blood, leukocytes, nitrites, bilirubin, urobilinogen