Clinical Post-Conference Laboratory Values

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering laboratory normal ranges and clinical significance for electrolytes, hematology, and hepatic panels.

Sodium

Normal range: $136 - 145\,mmol/l$; levels increase with diabetes insipidus or hyperglycemia and decrease with NG suction, burns, or diuretics.

Chloride

Normal range: $98 - 106\,mmol/l$; measurements increase with drugs like Acetazolamide or Androgens and decrease with aldosterone or bicarbonates.

Potassium

Normal range: $3.5 - 5.0\,mmol/l$; levels are increased with IV fluid administration with potassium added and decreased with NG suction or diuretic administration.

CO2

Normal range: $23 - 30\,mmol/l$; a measure of the kidney's buffering ability; increased in Cushing syndrome or breathing disorders and decreased in ketoacidosis or kidney disease.

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

Normal range: $10 - 20\,mg/dl$; a measure of renal function and urea in the blood; increased by GI bleeding or high protein diets; decreased by overhydration or liver problems.

Creatinine

Normal range: $0.5 - 1.3\,mg/dl$; blood levels rise only when there is marked damage to functioning nephrons.

Glucose

Normal range: $70 - 110\,mg/dl$; levels may be high due to stress, catecholamine response, or administration of steroids.

Calcium

Normal range: $9 - 10.5\,mg/dl$; essential for heart function, muscle contraction, and blood clotting; requires Vitamin D for intestinal absorption and is 99% stored in bone.

Phosphorous

Normal range: $3.0 - 4.5\,mg/dL$; increased in renal failure or hypoparathyroidism; decreased in chronic antacid ingestion or vitamin D deficiency.

Magnesium

Normal range: $1.3 - 2.1\,meq/L$; increased in Addison's disease or kidney failure; decreased in alcohol abuse, pancreatitis, or long-term diarrhea.

Albumin

Normal range: $3.5 - 5\,g/dL$; made mainly in the liver, it helps keep blood from leaking out of vessels and aids in tissue growth and healing.

Total Protein

Normal range: $6.4 - 8.3\,G/DL$; a measurement composed of two major protein groups: albumin and globulin.

Globulin

Proteins in the blood (alpha, beta, and gamma types) that bind with hemoglobin, transport metals like iron, and help fight infection.

WBC (White Blood Cells)

Normal range: $5 - 10.0 \times 10^3u$; an increase is a response to acute infection and inflammation.

RBC (Red Blood Cells)

Normal range: $4.2 - 6.1\,mil/ul$; live for $4\,\text{months}$ in the blood stream; increased with EPO administration and decreased in kidney failure or bone metastasis.

HGB (Hemoglobin)

Normal range: $12 - 18\,MIL/UL$; composed of iron and protein; decreased in hemorrhage, anemia, and malnutrition.

HCT (Hematocrit)

Normal range: $37 - 52\%$; the percentage of RBC in plasma; increased in dehydration and fluid loss.

Platelets

Normal range: $150 - 400 \times 10^3U$; live $9 - 12\,\text{days}$ and are formed in bone marrow; decreased in aplastic anemia, leukemia, or cirrhosis.

PTT / aPTT

Normal range: $60 - 70\,\text{sec}$ / $30 - 40\,\text{sec}$; elevated in heparin administration, liver failure, or DIC.

PT (Prothrombin Time)

Normal range: $11 - 12.5\,\text{sec}$; elevated in Warfarin (Coumadin) therapy, vitamin K deficiency, or DIC.

INR

Normal range: $0.8 - 1.1$; monitored for Warfarin (Coumadin) therapy and elevated in liver failure or DIC.

D-dimer

Normal range: <0.4\,mcg/ml; increased levels aid in identifying intravascular clotting.

Fibrinogen

Normal range: $200 - 400\,mg/dl$; increased in acute infections, trauma, and coronary heart disease; decreased in DIC.

Neutrophil

Range: $55\% - 70\%$; count increases in response to bacterial infections or physiological stress; "bans" or "stabs" indicate new and immature cells.

Lymphocytes

Range: $20 - 40\%$; increase during viral infections; T cells are master immune cells while B cells handle antigen-antibody response.

Monocytes

Range: $2 - 8.0\%$; act as phagocytes in some inflammatory diseases.

Eosinophils

Range: $1 - 4\%$; involved in antigen-antibody reactions such as allergic reactions, asthma, or drug sensitivity.

Basophils

Range: $0.5 - 1\%$; known as "mast cells" that contain heparin, histamines, and serotonin; analyze allergic reactions.

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume)

Normal range: $80 - 95\,FL$; measures the size of RBCs; calculated as $\frac{HCT}{RBC}$.

MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin)

Normal range: $27 - 31\,PG$; measures the mass of Hgb in RBCs; calculated as $\frac{HGB}{RBC}$.

MCHC

Normal range: $32 - 36\%$; the proportion of each cell taken up by hemoglobin; calculated as $\frac{HGB}{HCT} \times 100$.

SGOT/AST

Normal range: $10 - 40\,u/l$ or $0 - 35$; high elevations (10-20 times normal) indicate heart attack or alcoholic cirrhosis; very high (>20 times) indicate acute viral hepatitis.

Alkaline Phos

Normal range: $30 - 120\,u/l$; found in liver and bone; most sensitive for metastatic tumor and biliary obstruction.

SGPT/ALT

Normal range: $4.0 - 36\,u/l$; very high levels (up to 50 times normal) suggest viral or severe drug-induced hepatitis.

Indirect Bilirubin

Form of bilirubin that is insoluble in water (unconjugated); it travels to the liver to be changed into a soluble form.

Direct Bilirubin

Form of bilirubin that is soluble in water (conjugated); it is made by the liver from the indirect form.

Total Bili

Normal range: $0.3 - 1\,mg/dl$; high levels cause jaundice and may indicate liver disease, blood disorders, or bile duct blockage.