Basic Lab Data Flashcards
Normal pH range
7.35 - 7.45
Normal CO2 range
35 - 45 mmHg
Normal HCO3 range
22 - 26 mmol/L
Normal Base Excess range
+3 to -3 mmol/L
Normal PaO2 range
80 - 100 mmHg
Normal SaO2 range
90% to 100%
Normal AG (anion gap) range
8 - 16 mEq/L
Normal hemoglobin ranges
Male: 14 - 18 g/dL
Female: 12 - 16 g/dL
Normal hematocrit ranges
Male: 40% - 54%
Female: 36% - 46%
Normal RBC range
3.5 - 6 million
What is the “Rule of Three” as it pertains to blood lab values?
RBC = 5
Hemoglobin = 15
Hematocrit = 45
Normal Sodium (Na+) range
135 - 145 mEq/L
Normal Potassium (K+) range
3.5 - 5 mEq/L
Normal Chloride (Cl-) range
96 - 106 mEq/L
Normal Calcium (Ca++) range
9 - 11 mg/dL
Normal Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) range
7 - 21 mg/dL
Normal Creatine ranges
Male: 0.6 - 1.4 mg/dL
Female: 0.6 - 1.1 mg/dL
Normal D-dimer range
< 0.5 - 1 mcg/mL OR < 500 - 1000 mcg/L
Normal Troponin range
0.0 - < 0.5 ng/mL
_______ is the probability that a test will result in a positive result when the condition is present in a patient.
Sensitivity
______ is the probability that a test will be negative in the absence of a disease.
Specificity
T/F: As respirations increase, you would expect the pH to decrease.
False
T/F: As respirations decrease, you would expect hydrogen ions to increase.
True
What are the two primary acid-excreting organs?
Lungs and Kidneys
Which of the following conditions would result in a left shift (alkalosis)?
a) Increased temperature
b) Hypoxia
c) Hypercarbia
d) Hyperbaric oxygen treatment
b) Hypoxia
Your patient has a core temperature of 105° F (40.5° C). Would you expect to see a right shift (acidosis) or a left shift (alkalosis)?
Right shift (acidosis)
Which of the following would result in hypercapnia?
a) V/Q mismatch
b) Hyperventilation
c) Use of an FiO2 of 1.0
d) Increasing PEEP and TV
a) V/Q mismatch
You observe lab values that show an increase in pH, a decrease in PaCO2, and no change in HCO3. Based on this information, you can assume the patient is in what acid base condition?
Respiratory Alkalosis
You observe lab values that show a decrease in pH, an increase in PaCO2, and no change in HCO3. Based on this information, you can assume the patient is in what acid base condition?
Respiratory Acidosis
You are treating a patient with a suspected C2 fracture of the spinal cord. What acid base condition would the patient be at risk of?
This patient is at risk of respiratory acidosis because of decreased ventilations.
You are transporting a 24-year-old body builder who overdosed on diuretics in an attempt to slim down for a competition. What acid base condition would this patient be at risk of?
Metabolic Alkalosis
Your patient is on a transport ventilator. The patient’s end-tidal CO2 is 26mmHg. What would you suspect is causing this?
You are hyperventilating the patient and blowing off the CO2.
T/F: If the HCO3 moves opposite the pH, the metabolic system is compensating for a respiratory imbalance.
True
T/F: If pH goes down, the PaCO2 goes up, this indicates respiratory alkalosis.
False
What acid base condition would you suspect with a patient with the following lab values:
pH = 7.43
PaCO2 = 60
HCO3 = 32
This is a mixed gas. It is BOTH respiratory acidosis and metabolic alkalosis.
Your 32-year-old male patient has a hemoglobin of 5. If this value low, high or normal?
Low
You are transporting a 25-year-old female who is 72 hours post-partum. She is in full disseminated intravascular coagulation. What level would your expect her platelets to be at?
Her platelets would be low.
Which tests measures the effectiveness of Coumadin-type anticoagulant medications?
Prothrombin time (PT) and International normalized ratio (INR)
Which test is most appropriate for determining renal function?
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
You are treating a 62-year-old male patient with a gastrointestinal bleed. The patient’s potassium is 6.5 mEq/L. Is this potassium level low, high or normal?
This potassium level is elevated.
What cardiac biomarker is considered most specific for myocardial damage?
Troponin I
If CO2 moves opposite of the pH, this indicates:
a respiratory imbalance
If CO2 moves in the same direction as pH, this indicates:
the respiratory system is compensating for a metabolic imbalance
If HCO3 moves in the same direction as pH, this indicates:
a metabolic imbalance
If HCO3 moves opposite of the pH, this indicates:
that the metabolic system is compensating for a respiratory imbalance
If pH goes down and the PaCO2 goes up, this indicates:
respiratory acidosis
If pH goes up and the PaCO2 goes down, this indicates:
respiratory alkalosis
If both the pH and HCO3 goes up, this indicates:
metabolic alkalosis
If both the pH and HCO3 goes down, this indicates:
metabolic acidosis
What lab value is best used for checking heparin efficacy?
Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)
