Important Lab Values

Question 1

WBC

Answer 1

White Blood Cells (5,000-10,000 cells)

These cells help prevent infection.

An elevated WBC (above 10,000) can indicate an infection. A WBC below 5,000 may indicate a disease of the immune system. Leukopenia- Below 5,000.

Question 2

RBC

Answer 2

Red Blood Cells (4.2-5.4 million/mL of blood for females and 4.7-6.1 million males

RBCs carry hemoglobin which carries oxygen. How much oxygen your body tissues get depends on how many RBCs you have and how well they work.

Question 3

Platelets

Answer 3

(150,000-400,000)

Platelets help the blood to clot. A low platelet count (Thrombocytopenia below 150,000) would put a person at risk of hemorrhaging (bleeding excessively) and a too high platelet count makes a person at risk of developing thrombi (blood clots).

Question 4

Hgb

Answer 4

Hemoglobin (found in RBCs) 12-16g/dL females; 13.0-18.0 males

Hgb contains iron which functions to carry oxygen to the body tissues where it then exchanges the oxygen for carbon dioxide; a waste product. The RBC then takes the carbon dioxide to the lungs and exchanges it for oxygen. A person who has a low Hgb has a type of anemia.

Question 5

Hct

Answer 5

Hematocrit (37-47% females and 42%-52% males) (measurement of the percentage of whole blood that is made up of RBCs)

Hct is usually about 3x that of the Hgb.

Question 6

Sodium

Answer 6

(135-145meq/L)

Question 7

Magnesium

Answer 7

Abbreviated Mg (1.8-2.7mg/dL)

-Helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function

-keeps the bones strong

-controls the heartbeat

-helps regulate blood pressure and much more.

Question 8

Phosphate

Answer 8

(2.5-4.5mg/dL)

Kidney, liver, and certain bone diseases can cause abnormal phosphorus levels in the blood.

Question 9

Potassium

Answer 9

(3.5-5.5meq/L)

Abbreviated K

-Help with activity of nerves and muscles especially in the heart
-Small changes with levels either too high or too low can lead to heart irregularities which can be life threatening.

Question 10

Calcium

Answer 10

Blood calcium Level (8.5-10.5mg/dL)

Abbreviated Ca

-Mesures the amount of calcium in the bloodstream. not in the bone.

-Calcium affects many areas of the body. It is found in bones and teeth

-Also responsible for nerve conduction

-Blood clotting

-Heart function

Question 11

PT
Produced by the liver and used in blood clotting. Reduced in patients with liver disease causing a prolonged clotting time . Depends on adequate intake and absorption of vitamin K.

Answer 11

Prothrombin time (11-12.5 seconds)

-This is part of a group of blood tests that determines the clotting ability of blood.

Question 12

PTT

Answer 12

Partial thromboplastin time (60-70) seconds)

Also part of the group of blood tests that determines the clotting ability of blood.

Question 13

INR

Answer 13

International Normalized Ratio(0.8-1.1)

The PT and the INR are used to monitor the effectiveness of the anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin).

Question 14

BUN

Answer 14

Blood Urea Nitrogen. (10-20mg/dL)

Urea is a waste product of protein which is made in the liver.

Question 15

Serum Creatinine

Answer 15

(0.7-1.3mg/dL) for men
(0.6-1.2mg/dL) for women

Creatinine is a waste product of the breakdown of creatine in the body. Creatinine is excreted by the kidneys. If kidney function is compromised, Serum Creatinine levels will rise.

Question 16

Urine Specific Gravity

Answer 16

(1.005-1.030g/mL)

This test measures the concentration of urine.

A high specific gravity indicates concentrated urine which would indicate dehydration.

A low specific gravity indicates dilute urine which would indicate a person is well hydrated or over hydrated.

Question 17

Serum glucose

Answer 17

(70-100mg/dL)

A low serum glucose (blood sugar) indicates hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

A high serum glucose occurs after eating a meal, however if it does not return to a normal level within a certain amount of time can indicate diabetes.

Question 18

Serum Albumin

Answer 18

(3.5-5.5g/dL)

albumin is a protein made by the liver.

A serum albumin level measures the amount of this protein in the plasma (clear portion of the blood).

Question 19

Erthrocyte Sedimentation Rate

Answer 19

Males 0-22 mm/h
Females 0-29 mm/h

Question 20

Ammonia
A product of protein metabolism.
Supports the diagnosis of severe liver disease with encephalopathy.

Answer 20

10-80 Mcg/dL

Question 21

AST (Asparte Aminotransferase)
Used to detect acute hepatitis or billiary obstruction

Answer 21

0-35 units/L

Question 22

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
Enzyme used to detect liver disease.
Viral hepatitis ALT/AST ratio is >1.0 with other liver diseases the AST/ALT is <1.0

Answer 22

4-36 units/L

Question 23

Lipase

Answer 23

0-160 units/L

Question 24

Bilirubin
To detect abnormal bilirubin metabolism.
Jaundice is present when bilirubin is >2.5 mg/dL

Answer 24

0.3-1 mg/dL (normal)
Direct (conjugated): 0.1-0.3 mg/dL
Indirect (unconjugated): 0.2-0.8 mg/dL

Question 25

Digoxin

Question 26

Prealbumin

Answer 26

15-36 mg/dL

Question 27

Total protein To detect a decrease in liver failure.

Answer 27

6.4-8.3 g/dL

Question 28

pH

Answer 28

7.35-7.45 pH and PaCO2 are ABGs(Arterial Blood Gases). pH above 7.45 and below 35 for PaCO2 is respiratory alkalosis

Question 29

PaCO2

Answer 29

35-45

Question 30

LDL

Answer 30

Below 130 to be free from atherosclerosis

Question 31

HDL levels

Answer 31

35-65 mg/dL

Question 32

ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) To detect liver tumors. Rises there is an obstruction of the biliary tree.

Answer 32

30-120 units/L

Question 33

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) To detect liver cell dysfunction, biliary obstruction, cholangitis, or cholecystitis.

Answer 33

8-38 units/L

Question 34

Activated PTT (aPTT)

Answer 34

20-35secs