Lab Values Flashcards
Components of Blood
Plasma- 55%
Platelets and WBCs- 1%
RBCs- 44%
What is in plasma?
-90% water
-Ions
-Proteins
-Dissolves gases
-Nutrient molecules
-Waste
What is in a CBC?
WBCs, RBCs, Hgb, Hct, Platelets
White Blood Cells (WBC)
Normal: 4,000 - 10,000
-High: indicate infection
-Low: immunosuppression
Red Blood Cells (RBC)
Normal:
-males (4.7-6.1)
-females (4.2-5.4)
-High: polycythemia vera, high altitudes, after prolonged exercise
-Low: blood loss, iron or B12 deficiency, kidney injury or disease, cancer, bone marrow suppression
Hemoglobin (Hgb)
Normal:
-males (14-18)
-females (12-16)
Hematocrit (Hct)
Normal:
-males (42-52%)
-females (37-47%)
-Percentage of whole blood that’s made up of RBCs
Platelets
Normal: 150,000 - 400,000
-High: chronic leukemia, post-splenectomy, chronic inflammation or infection (WATCH FOR CLOTTING!)
-Low: acute leukemia, drug-induced (WATCH FOR BLEEDING!)
Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) includes:
BUN, Creatinine, Glucose, sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, carbon dioxide
BUN
Normal: 6-22
-High: kidney damage
-Low: liver damage or starvation/protein deficit
-Measures urea, the breakdown of proteins, ammonia, and AA
Creatinine
Normal: 0.5-1.5
-High: best indicator for kidney dysfunction or rapid muscle metabolism
-Low: decreased muscle mass
-byproduct of muscle metabolism
Glucose
Normal: 60-115
-High: diabetes, stress, infection, steroid use
(can cause acidosis and potassium to shift out of cells)
-Low: insulin OD, strenuous exercise, decreased sugar intake, poor PO intake
Carbon Dioxide
Normal: 23-32
-Can indicate a metabolic issue without having to draw an ABG
Sodium Normal Limits
135-145
Chloride Normal Limits
100-110
Potassium Normal Limits
3.5-5
Calcium Normal levels
9-11
Magnesium Normal Levels
1.5-2
Sodium Functions and Abnormalities
-Functions to maintain fluid balance
-High:
*causes- dehydration and water deprivation (both a concentration issue), increased sodium consumption
*symptoms- increased thirst, decreased LOC, confusion, seizures
-Low:
*causes- hypovolemia, SIADH, Addisons, fluid overload
*symptoms- confusion, HA, N/V, weakness, cerebral edema, can lead to seizures and coma when severe
Chloride Functions and Abnormalities
-Aid in maintaining water and acid-base balances
-High:
*causes- dehydration, excess NS use, kidney dysfunction
*symptoms- lethargy, weakness, deep breathing
-Low:
*causes- overhydration, CHF, Addisons, diuretics
*symptoms- hyperexcitability, shallow breathing, decreased BP
Potassium Function and Abnormalities
-Functions to support the transmission of electrical impulses to nerves and muscles
-High:
*causes- kidney disease, dehydration, diabetes, medications, trauma and burns, acidosis
*symptoms- N/V, muscle aches, decreased deep tendon reflexes, paralysis, dysrhythmias, critical high can cause heart failure
-Low:
*causes- medications, GI loss, metabolic alkalosis, alcoholism
*symptoms- muscle weakness, cardiac dysrhythmias, constipation, fatigue, muscle twitching or tetany
Calcium Function and Abnormalities
-Functions to strengthen bone, contract muscles, nerve transmission, clotting of blood, hormone secretion, and normal heart function
-High:
*causes- cancer, hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D toxicity, renal failure
*symptoms- abdominal MOANS, painful BONES, kidney STONES, GROANS (lethargy), neurological OVERTONES
-Low:
*causes- medications that decrease absorption, low vitamin D, hypoparathyroidism, renal disease, low albumin
*symptoms- muscle cramping, Chvostek and Trousseaus Sign, psychosis and seizures, brittle hair/skin/nails
Magnesium Function and Abnormalities
-Like calcium, assists to regulate nerve and muscle function
-High:
*causes- kidney disease, medications, trauma, acidotic states, hypothyroidism
*symptoms- nausea, dizziness, weakness, confusion, decreased LOC, decreasing reflexes, flushing, constipation
-Low:
*causes- medications, decreased intake or absorption, alcoholism, low potassium, low calcium
*symptoms- N/V, decreased appetite, fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps and spasticity, numbness and tingling
Proper Order for Blood Draws
“Studious Boys Rarely Get Poor Grades”
-sterile/white
-Blue
-Red/Gold
-Green
-Purple/Pink
-Grey
