Lab Values

Question 1

Chloride

Answer 1

Normal:
90y= 98-111 mEq/L (mmol/L)

Increased in:

• respiratory alkalosis
• dehydration
• renal failure
• excess amts of IV fluids containing NaCl.

Decreased in:

• excess NG drainage
• vomiting
• excess use diuretics
• diarrhea

Question 2

Partial Thromboplastin Time, Activated (aPTT)

Answer 2

Normal:
30-40sec.

Increased in:

• coagulation defect (bleeding disorder)
• anticoagulation therapy (heparin)
• liver disease

Decreased in:

• coagulation (clotting) disorder, such as thrombophlebitis, or pulmonary embolus
• extensive cancer

Question 3

White blood cell (WBC) count (leukocyte count)

Answer 3

Normal:
5,000-10,000mm3

Increased in:

• infection
• inflammation
• stress
• tissue necrosis

Decreased in:

• immune disorder
• immunosuppressant therapy

Question 4

Total Hemoglobin

Answer 4

Normal:
Females-
18-44y: 12-16g/dL / 117-155g/L
45-64y: 11.7-16.0g/dL / 117-160g/L
65-74y: 11.7-16.1g/dL / 117-161g/L
Males-
18-44y: 14-18g/dL / 132-173g/L
45-64y: 13.1-17.2g/dL / 131-172g/L
65-74y: 12.6-17.4g/dL / 126-174g/L

Increased in:

• dehydration
• polycythemia
• chronic pulmonary disease
• congestive heart failure

Decreased in:

• blood loss
• anemia
• renal failure

Question 5

Blood, Urea, Nitrogen (BUN)

Answer 5

Normal:
90y: 10-31mg/dL or 3.6-11.1mmol/L

Increased in:

• dehydration
• renal failure
• excess protein in diet
• liver failure

Decreased in:

• overhydration
• malnutrition

Question 6

Creatinine

Answer 6

Normal:
Females-
90y: 0.6-1.3mg/dL or 53-115Mmol/L
Males-
90y: 1.0-1.7mg/dL or 88-150Mmol/L

Increased in:

• renal damage w/ destruction of > #’s nephrons
• renal insufficiency
• acute renal failure
• chronic kidney disease
• End-Stage kidney disease (ESKD)

Decreased in:
-atrophy of muscle tissue

Question 7

Prothrombin time (pro-time, PT)

Answer 7

Normal:
11-12.5sec; 85-100%; 1:1.1p.c. ratio

Increased in:

• coagulation defect (bleeding disorder)
• vitamin K deficiency

Decreased in:
-coagulation (clotting) disorder, such as pulmonary embolus or thrombophlebitis.

Question 8

Hematocrit

Answer 8

Normal:
Females-
18-44y: 35-45%
45-74y: 37-47%
Males-
18-44y: 42-52%
45-64y: 39-50%
65-74y: 37-51%

Increased in:

• dehydration
• polycythemia
• high altitude

Decreased in:

• blood loss
• anemia
• kidney failure

Question 9

Fasting Glucose

Answer 9

Normal:
Females-
90y: 75-121mg/dL or4.2-6.7mmol/L

Increased in:

• hyperglycemia
• excess amts of IV fluid w/ glucose
• stress
• steroid use
• pancreatic/ hepatic disease

Decreased in:

• hypoglycemia
• excessive insulin

Question 10

Potassium

Answer 10

Normal:
3.5-5.0mEq/L (mmol/L)

Increased in:

• dehydration
• renal failure
• acidosis
• cellular/tissue damage
• hemolysis of the specimen

Decreased in:

• NPO status when K+ replacement is inadequate
• excessive use of non-K+ sparing diuretics
• vomiting
• malnutrition
• diarrhea
• alkalosis

Question 11

International Normalized Ratio (INR)

Answer 11

Normal:
0.7-1.8

Increased in:
-anticoagulation therapy (aspirin, warfarin)

Decreased in:
-extensive cancer

Question 12

Carbon Dioxide

Answer 12

Normal:
90y: 20-29mEq/L (mmol/L)

Increased in:

• chronic pulmonary disease
• intestinal obstruction
• vomiting/ NG suctioning
• Metabolic alkalosis

Decreased in:

• hyperventilation
• diabetic ketoacidosis
• diarrhea
• lactic acidosis
• renal failure
• salicylate toxicity

Question 13

Sodium

Answer 13

Normal:
90y: 132-146mEq/L (mmol/L)

Increased in:

• cardic/ renal failure
• hypertension
• excessive amts of IV fluids w/ normal saline
• edema
• dehydration (hemoconcentration)

Decreased in:

• nasogastric drainage
• vomiting and diarrhea
• excessive use of laxatives or diuretics
• excessive amts of IV fluids w/ water
• syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)