Lab Values Flashcards
normal range for potassium
K+ 3.5-5
normal functions for potassium
maintain resting potential of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle - muscle function and nerve impulse conduction
what can cause hypokalemia?
(less than 3.5)
- diarrhea
- diabetic ketoacidosis
- potassium wasting diuretics
signs and symptoms of hypokalemia
(less than 3.5)
- muscle weakness - life-threatening if respiratory muscles
- cardiac dysrhythmias
what can hyperkalemia?
(greater than 5)
- oliguria
- kidney dysfunction
signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia?
(greater than 5)
- muscle weakness
- ascending paralysis
- cardiac dysrhythmias
what is the main concern with hyperkalemia and hypokalemia? K+
arrhythmias and dysrhythmias
what is the normal range for calcium?
Ca+ 8.4-10.5
what is the normal function of calcium?
influences excitability of nerve and muscle cells - muscle contraction
where is calcium found?
blood, teeth, and blood clotting
what can cause hypocalcemia?
(less than 8.4)
- diarrhea
- malabsorption syndrome like chron’s disease
- vitamin D deficiency
- hypoparathyroidism
what vitamin is needed to absorb calcium?
vitamin D
signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia?
(less than 8.4)
- numbness
- tingling
- positive chvostek’s sign
- positive trousseau sign
chvostek’s sign
facial muscle spams caused by tapping a spot close to the ear
trousseau’s sign
hand spasm due to pressure on the arm like a blood pressure cough
paget’s disease
interferes with bone replacement cycle
what can cause hypercalcemia?
(greater than 10.5)
- hyperparathyroidism
- paget’s disease
- thiazide diuretics
signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia
(greater than 10.5)
- decreased reflexes
- bone pain
- weakness
- confusion
- lethargy
- decreased level of consciousness
the normal level of magnesium?
Mg2+ 1.5-2.5
what can cause hypomagnesemia?
(less than 1.5)
- dietary restrictions
- diuretics
- malabsorption
- diabetic ketoacidosis
signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia?
(less than 1.5)
- hypocalcemia
- irritable
- hypertension
- involuntary movements
- hyperactive deep tendons reflex
- positive chvostek’s sign
- positive trousseau’s sign
what can cause hypermagnesemia?
(greater than 2.5)
- end-stage renal disease
- preeclampsia
- administration of IV mag2+
signs and symptoms of hypermagnesemia?
(greater than 2.5)
- lethargy
- absent or diminished deep tendon reflex
- EKG changes
- nausea and vomiting
- impaired breathing
- cardiac arrest
- hypotension
relationship between magnesium, calcium, and phosphate
magnesium and calcium are inversely related to phosphate
- if magnesium and calcium are high, then phosphate will be low
- of magnesium and calcium are low, the phosphate will be high
normal hematocrit range
men - 45-52%
women - 37-48%
what is hematocrit?
percent of the blood that is RBC
what increases hematocrit range?
increases with dehydration
normal hemaglobin range?
men - 13-18
women - 12-16
what can cause low hemoglobin levels?
(below 13 in men and 12 in women)
- blood loss
- hemolytic anemia
- bone marrow suppression
symptoms of low hemoglobin?
(below 13 in men and 12 in women)
- dyspnea
what is hemoglobin?
part of the RBC that carries oxygen
what substance is needed to make hemoglobin?
iron
under what value of hemoglobin do you become concerned for a blood transfusion?
HGB under 10