Lab Values Study Guide

Hemoglobin (Hgb) normal values (Men and Women)

Men: 14-17 g/dL, Women: 12-16 g/dL

Low Hemoglobin (Hgb)

Anemia

High Hemoglobin (Hgb)

Polycynthemia

Hold PT if Hgb levels are below...

8 g/dL

Hgb levels may indicate capillary blockage and become dangerous if above…

20 g/dL

Hematocrit (Hct) - percentage of RBCs in the whole blood - normal values (Men and Women)

Men: 42-52%, Women: 37-47%

Too many RBCs (High Hematocrit - Htc)

Polycynthemia

Too few RBCs (Low Hemotocrit - Hct)

Anemia

Normal RBC count

Men: 4.7-6.1 million/microliter, Women: 4.2-5.4 million/microliter

RBC count is too high (not percentage)

Secondary Polycynthemia

Platelets/Thrombocytes normal values

140-450,000 per microliter

Platelet count too high

Thrombocytosis

Platelet count too low

Thrombocytopenia

INR normal value (unmedicated)

0.8-1.2

INR normal value (Pt has comorbidity with meds)

2-3.5

Hold PT if INR is above…

5

What might happen is you do PT with a pt whose INR is above 5?

They may have spontaneous intramuscular bleeding

Prothrombin Time (PT) normal range

11-13sec

Active Partial Thomboplastin Time (APTT) normal range

21-35sec

BNP normal value

<100 pg.mL

Hold PT is APTT is above…

70sec

Class I BNP abnormality

100-300 pg/mL - no symptoms

Class II BNP abnormality

>300 pg/mL - mild shortness of breath

Class III BNP abnormality

>600 pg/mL - only comfortable at rest

Class IV BNP abnormality

>900 pg/mL - pain even at rest

What is the strongest independent predictor of CHF?

BNP

CK normal values

Men: 52-336 U/L, Women: 38-176 U/L

Troponin I normal value

0-0.2 mcg/mL

Sodium (Na) normal value range

135-145 mEq/L

Which cardiac enzyme is 100% cardiac specific?

Troponin I

Sodium (Na) is too high

Hypernatremia

What are the symptoms of hypernatremia?

AMS, lethargy, tachycardia, weakness, ataxia

Sodium (Na) is too low

Hyponatremia

Potassium (K) is too high

Hyperkalemia

Potassium (K) is too low

Hypokalemia

Potassium (K) normal range

3.5-5 mEq/L

Calcium (Ca) normal range

9-11 mg/dL

Calcium is too high

Hypercalcemia

Symptom of hypercalcemia

Erratic rhythm

Symptoms of hypocalcemia

Abnormal rhythm, reduced contractility, lenticular ectopy

Symptoms of hyperkalemia

Tachycardia then Bradycardia, dysrhythmia, cramps, flaccidity

Symptoms of Hypokalemia

Arrhythmia, muscle cramps, flaccidity

Magnesium normal range

1.7-2.2 mg/dL

Magnesium is too high

Hypermagnesemia

Magnesium is too low

Hypomagnesemia

Symptoms of Hypermagnesemia

Leggy, confusion, weakness, flaccidity

Symptoms of Hypomagnesemia

lethargy, confusion, depression, arrhythmia, convulsions

Normal BUN (Kidney function indicator) range

10-20

BUN is too high

Azotemia

Symptoms of Azotemia

confused and lethargiv

Creatinine (Kidney function indicator) normal range

0.5-1.2 mg/dL

Glucose normal range

70-110 mg/dL

If glucose is below __, give the patient a snack before exercise

70 mg/dL