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NCLEX-RN® > NCLEX-RN (1) Fundamentals > Lab Interpretation > Flashcards

Lab Interpretation Flashcards

Review the lab that goes with each organ or problem. Be able to interpret what it means when the lab is abnormal.

1
Q

Sodium controls which types of cells?

A

Brain cells and skeletal muscle cells.

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2
Q

Abnormal sodium levels cause which symptoms?

A

Symptoms from brain cell and skeletal muscle dysfunction:

  • decreased level of consciousness (↓ LOC)
  • seizures
  • muscle twitching
  • headaches
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3
Q

Potassium controls which types of cells?

A

Heart and skeletal muscle cells.

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4
Q

Abnormal potassium levels cause which symptoms?

A

Symptoms from heart and skeletal muscle dysfunction:

  • heart dysrhythmias
  • muscle weakness and cramps
  • muscle numbness and tingling (paresthesia)
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5
Q

Magnesium and Calcium controls which types of cells?

A

Skeletal and heart muscle cells, and cells for nerve function.

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6
Q

What is the function of white blood cells (WBCs)?

A

To fight infection.

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7
Q

What does an increased and decreased white blood cell (WBC) count indicate?

A
  • Decreased WBC: the client is immunosuppressed (risk for infection)
  • Increased WBC: the client has an active infection
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8
Q

Define:

Neutropenia and Leukopenia

A

Leukopenia and neutropenia both indicate ↓ WBCs​.

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9
Q

What is the function of RBCs?

A

To carry oxygen to all the organs.

Erythrocyte is another name for RBC (red blood cells).

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10
Q

What does a decreased red blood cell count (RBC) indicate?

A

Anemia: the body doesn’t have enough oxygen causing fatigue and weakness.

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11
Q

Define:

Hemoglobin

A

A protein on RBCs that carries oxygen.

RBC = red blood cell

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12
Q

Define:

Hematocrit

A

The proportion of RBCs in the blood.

RBC = red blood cell

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13
Q

What do both hemoglobin and hematocrit indicate?

A

Both indicate how much blood and oxygen the client has.

Hemoglobin and hematocrit are commonly referred to as “H and H”.

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14
Q

What does a decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit most commonly indicate?

A

anemia or bleeding

There is not enough oxygen or RBCs due to bleeding. RBC = red blood cell.

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15
Q

What does an increased hemoglobin and hematocrit most commonly indicate?

A

dehydration

The volume of fluid in the blood is decreased making the red portion of the blood look more concentrated.

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16
Q

What is the function of platelets?

A

For the blood to clot properly.

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17
Q

Define:

Thrombocytopenia

A

Indicates low platelets.

This can cause an increased risk of bleeding.

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18
Q

What is blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and what does an increased level indicate?

A

BUN is the waste product of protein breakdown in the liver excreted by the kidneys.

An increased BUN may or may not indicate a kidney problem because other conditions can increase the BUN.

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19
Q

What is creatinine and what does an increased level indicate?

A

Creatinine is the breakdown product of muscle and other proteins that are excreted by the kidneys.

Any increase in creatinine indicates a kidney problem.

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20
Q

What is the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?

A

GFR is how much urine gets filtered through the kidneys:

  • It is controlled by blood pressure
  • It is the best way to measure kidney function
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21
Q

Define:

Bilirubin

A

The breakdown product of old red blood cells and is secreted in bile by the liver.

It causes the yellow color in urine and stool.

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22
Q

What does an increased bilirubin indicate?

A

Can indicate liver damage or liver disease.

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23
Q

What is ALT, AST, ALP and what does an increased level indicate?

A

ALT, AST, and ALP are enzymes released by the liver when there is inflammation.

ALP can also be elevated with bone disorders.

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24
Q

Define:

Cholesterol

A

Fat in the body. It is needed to build healthy cells, but an increased level can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

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25
Q

What are high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL)?

A

HDL and LDL are types of cholesterol:

  • HDL is the “Happy” or good cholesterol
  • LDL is the bad cholesterol
26
Q

What is ammonia in regards to the liver?

A

A waste product of proteins.

The liver helps the body get rid of ammonia by turning it into urea and disposing of it by the kidneys (see BUN).

27
Q

What is albumin and what are its 3 main functions?

A

A protein made by the liver.

Functions of albumin/proteins:

  1. prevents fluids from leaking out of the vascular space
  2. transports substances throughout the body
  3. nourishes tissues
28
Q

What are the most common reasons an albumin/protein level is decreased?

A
  • malnutrition: not eating enough protein
  • liver disease: the liver can’t make proteins
  • kidney disease: kidneys are damaged and can’t hold onto the proteins and are excreted
29
Q

What are the blood coagulation labs?

A
  • aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time)
  • PTT (partial thromboplastin time)
  • PT (prothrombin time)
  • INR (international normalized ratio)

These labs refer to bleeding time. The higher the number the more likely the client will bleed. Depending on the situation, a higher number (called therapeutic) is desired to prevent blood clots.

30
Q

What is amylase and lipase?

A

Enzymes released by the pancreas when there is inflammation.

An increased level indicates pancreatitis.

31
Q

What is hemoglobin A1c?

It’s also called HbA1c or glycated hemoglobin test.

A

The average level of blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months.

It indicates how well the client has controlled their blood sugar.

32
Q

What is BNP and what does an increased level indicate?

A

An enzyme released by the heart when it is stretched due to too much fluid in the heart.

An increased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) means worsening heart failure.

33
Q

What is troponin and what does an increased level indicate?

(Immediate Complication)

A

A protein released by the heart during a myocardial infarction (heart attack).

It is the best indicator of a heart attack.

34
Q

What is CK/CPK and what does an increased level indicate?

A

CK/CPK (creatine kinase) is an enzyme released by the heart during a myocardial infarction.

It can also be raised with muscle damage from other reasons.

35
Q

What is uric acid and what are elevated levels caused by?

A

The breakdown of purines found in foods or old cells.

Elevated levels are caused by:

  • kidney disorder: cannot eliminate uric acid efficiently
  • tumor lysis syndrome: breakdown of old cells from chemotherapy releases uric acid into the blood
36
Q

What can a high uric acid level cause?

A

Gout

The high uric acid causes inflammation in the joints, especially the big toe.

37
Q

What is a D-dimer lab?

A

Indicates the presence of a blood clot.

38
Q

What are the thyroid labs?

A
  • TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)
  • T3 (triiodothyronine)
  • T4 (thyroxine)
39
Q

Which direction do the labs go with hypothyroidism?

A
  • ↓T3 and ↓T4
  • ↑TSH

T3 and T4 are decreased so the body compensates by making more TSH.

40
Q

Which direction do the labs go with hyperthyroidism?

A
  • ↑T3 and ↑T4
  • ↓TSH

T3 and T4 are elevated so the body compensates by making less TSH.

41
Q

When caring for a client, why is looking at several lab values for the same test better than just looking at one single value?

A

Looking at several values of the same lab test can indicate if the client is improving or getting worse by recognizing trends.

42
Q

What is a complete blood count (CBC)?

A

A blood lab test where all the hematology labs are included as one test.

  • WBC (white blood cells)
  • RBC (red blood cells)
  • Hgb (hemoglobin)
  • Hct (hematocrit)
  • platelets
43
Q

What is a basic metabolic panel (BMP)?

A

A set of labs that includes electrolytes and kidney function:

  • sodium
  • chloride
  • potassium
  • carbon dioxide (CO2)
  • blood glucose
  • BUN
  • creatinine
44
Q

What is a complete metabolic panel (CMP)?

A

A set of labs that includes everything in a BMP (electrolytes and kidney labs) in addition to the liver labs:

  • bilirubin
  • protein
  • ALT, AST, and ALP
45
Q

Define:

Pancytopenia

A

Low blood counts of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets.

RBC = red blood cell
WBC = white blood cell

46
Q

Sepsis/septic

(Immediate Complication)

A

A systemic infection - an infection throughout the entire body.

A high temperature can indicate sepsis.

47
Q

Define:

Penia

A

Indicates low or deficient.

It is a common ending to many different labs.

48
Q

What are the renal labs?

A
  • creatinine
  • BUN (blood urea nitrogen)
  • GFR (glomerular filtration rate)
49
Q

What are the common liver labs?

A
  • ALT, AST, and ALP
  • bilirubin
  • albumin
  • protein
  • ammonia
50
Q

What are the common cardiac labs?

A
  • troponins
  • BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide)
  • CK (Creatine kinase)
51
Q

What are the common pancreas labs?

A
  • amylase
  • lipase
  • hemoglobin A1C
  • blood sugar
52
Q

What are the different types of white blood cells and what types of infections do each target?

A
  • neutrophils: bacterial infections
  • lymphocytes: viral infections
  • monocytes: severe infections
  • eosinophils: parasite infections
  • basophils: parasite infections
53
Q

Why is each client vital sign important to measure in nursing?

A
  • Temp: to check for infection and dehydration
  • RR: to check for respiratory problems
  • HR: to check for irregular heart rhythm, tachycardia or bradycardia
  • BP: to check for fluid volume issues such as fluid volume overload or fluid volume deficit
  • O2: to check for decreased oxygen level
54
Q

Define:

Hypertension and Hypotension

A
  • Hypotension: Blood pressure < 90/60
  • Hypertension: Blood pressure > 120/80
55
Q

Hypoxic/hypoxia

(Immediate Complication)

A

pulse oximetry reading < 95%

56
Q

Define:

Bradycardia and Tachycardia

A
  • Bradycardia: heart rate < 60
  • Tachycardia: heart rate > 100
57
Q

Define

Febrile and Afebrile

A
  • Febrile: a temperature above normal
  • Afebrile: temperature is within normal limits
58
Q

What does mean arterial pressure (MAP) measure?

A

The average pressure in systemic cardiac circulation.

at least 60 to maintain perfusion

59
Q

How is mean arterial pressure (MAP) measured?

A

MAP = systolic blood pressure + 2(diastolic blood pressure) / 3

Ex: 120 + 2(80) / 3 = 93.3

60
Q

What does cardiac output (CO) measure?

A

How much blood the heart pumps out.

61
Q

How is cardiac output calculated?

A

Cardiac output = heart rate x stroke volume (L/min)

average is 4-7 L/min

NCLEX-RN (1) Fundamentals (17 decks)

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