Lab Values Flashcards
What is a CBC
Complete blood count — provides results regarding the concentration of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets in a bloods sample
Which test is routine to identify presence of infection, inflammation, and allergens?
WBC count
Reference value is 5-10 10^9/L
> 11.0 10^9/L WBC result
trending upward
- Could be because of infection, cancer, surgery, trauma, stress, smoking, obesity, congenital, chronic inflammation, CT disease
- May presents with fever, malaise, lethargy, dizziness, bleeding, bruising, unintentional weight loss
Clinical implication of HIGH WBCs
- SYMPTOM-based approach when determining appropriateness for activity, especially in the presence of fever
- Consider timing of therapy session due to early-morning low level and late afternoon high peak
< 4.0 10^9/L WBC result
trending downward
- May be because of viral infections, chemo, aplastic anemia, autoimmune disease, hepatitis
- Presents with anemia, weakness, fatigue, fever, headache, SOB
Clinical implications of LOW WBC’s
- SYMPTOM-based approach when determine appropriateness for activity, esp. in presence of fever
< 1.5 10^9/L WBC result
REALLY LOW
0.5-1.0 = mod neutropenia
<0.5 = severe neutropenia
- May be because of stem cell disorder, bacterial or viral infection, and radiation
- Presents with low grade fever, skin abscesses, sore mouth, pneumonia sxs
Clinical implications of really low WBCs
Neutropenic precautions !!
1. Also symptom-based, esp. with fever
Which test assesses anemia, blood loss, bone marrow suppression?
Hemoglobin count
Reference value: males = 14-17 g/dL^13
Reference value: females = 12-16 g/dL^13
HIGH hemoglobin
polycythemia
- May be because of CHD, severe dehydration, COPD, CHF, severe burns, high altitude
- May present with orthostasis, presyncope, dizziness, arrhythmias, seizure, SYMPTOMS OF TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATACH, MI, ANGINA
Clinical implication of HIGH hemoglobin
- Symptom-based approach, monitor symptoms, collaborate with inter professional team
High critical value >20 g/dL can lead to clogging of capillaries as a result of hemoconcentration
LOW hemoglobin
Anemia
- May be because of hemorrhage, nutritional deficiency, cancer, renal disease, stress to bone marrow, RBC destruction
- May present with decreased endurance and activity tolerance, pallor, and tachycardia
Clinical implication of LOW hemoglobin
- Monitor vitals esp. SPO2 to predict tissue perfusion since they might present with tachycardia and OH
- Low critical value of <5-7 can lead to heart failure or death
- <8 — symptom based approach
- Consult with team about how to go about monitoring
What assess blood loss and fluid balance
Hematocrit levels
Reference values: males = 42-52%
Reference values: females = 37-47%
What about HIGH hematocrit
polycythemia
- May be caused by burns, eclampsia, severe dehydration, higher altitude, hypoxia because of pulmonary conditions
- May present with fever, headache, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, easy bruising/bleeding