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NCLEX > Lab Values > Flashcards

Lab Values Flashcards

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1
Q

K

A

3.5-5.0

INVERSE relationship w/ Na

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2
Q

HYPOkalemia S/Sx

5 L’s

A 
Lethargic
Limp muscles (weakness)
Lethal dysrhythmias (↑↓ HR, U-wave)
Low, shallow respiration
Less stool (constipation, ↓ GI motility)
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3
Q

HYPOkalemia Causes

DAANG Cushion

A 
Diuretics
↑ Aldosterone
Alkalosis 
NG suction (lots K+ in stomach)
GI loss (V/D)
Cushing's syndrome
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4
Q

HYPOkalemia Interventions

A 
PO or IV Potassium (NEVER IV push, Assess UO)
Use Spironolactone (K+ sparing)
FOODS: raisins, bananas, apricots, oranges, beans, potatoes, carrots, celery
NO digoxin (↑ risk Dig Tox)
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5
Q

HYPERkalemia S/Sx

MURDER

A

Muscle twitching (1st) → muscle weakness → flaccid paralysis

Urine - Oliguria, Anuria
Respiratory distress
Decreased HR
EKG changes (peaked T, small P waves, PVCs, VFib)
Reflexes - hyper/hypo
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6
Q

HYPERkalemia Causes

MARCH

A 
Meds (ACE I, Steroids, Beta Blockers)
Acidosis
Renal failure (excreted by kidneys)
Cellular destruction (burns, crushing injuries, trauma)
Hypoaldosteronism - Addison's (↓ adrenal hormones)
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7
Q

HYPERkalemia Interventions

DDICK

A

Dialysis (impaired kidney)
Diuretics
Insulin + Dextrose (shifts K INTO cells ∴ √ hypokalemia, hypoglycemia)
Ca Gluconate (tx arrythmias)
Kayexalate (↑ excretion, causes diarrhea)

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8
Q

Na

A

135-145

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9
Q

HYPOnatremia S/Sx

NIMO “Nimo lives in the water”

A

N
ICP ↑ - confusion, muscle twitching, *seizures
Muscle cramps
Output ↑, USG ↓ (conc of urine)

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10
Q

HYPOnatremia Causes

A

V/D
DIuretics
Diaphoresis
Excess IV dextrose + water

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11
Q

HYPOnatremia Interventions

A

IV LR or NS
FOODS: beef broth, tomato juice
↓ Water intake (safest)
I&O, daily WT

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12
Q

HYPERnatremia S/Sx

THUNDER

A 
Temperature (fever)
HTN, ↑ HR
Urine output (↓), USG (↑)
Need water (Thirst, dry tongue)
Delusions, hallucinations
Edema
Restless
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13
Q

HYPERnatremia Causes

A

D
diabetes insipidous
hyperventilation
hypertonic tube feedings w/o water

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14
Q

HYPERnatremia Intervention

A

IV hypotonic solutions - 0.3%, 0.45% NaCl, or D5W

Kayexalate (causes diarrhea, ↑ excretion)

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15
Q

Ca

Action
Regulated by

A

8.6-10

Action: blood clotting, skeletal muscle contraction
Regulation: PARATHYROID hormone + VITA D

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16
Q

HYPOcalcemia S/Sx

A

EXCITABLE CNS

tetany (muscle spasms)
Trousseau’s sign - carpal spasm w/ BP cuff
Chvostek’s sign - contract facial muscle w/ light tap to facial nerve

↑ DTR, ↓ HR, ↓ BP 
seizures
confusion
paresthesia (tingling/ prickling d/t dmg to peripheral nerve)
irritability
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17
Q

HYPOcalcemia Causes

A 
hypoparathyroidism, post-thyroid surgery
pancreatitis
renal failure
steroids
loop diuretics
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18
Q

HYPOcalcemia Interventions

A 
Ca Gluconate 
PO CaCl, Vita D
Al Hydroxide - ↓ P to ↑ Ca 
NO digoxin 
Admin Ca supplement, Vita D
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19
Q

HYPERcalcemia S/Sx

A

SEDATED CNS

↓ DTR, ↑ HR, ↑ BP
muscle weakness
lack coordination
C, abd distention
confusion
20
Q

HYPERcalcemia Causes

A

hyperparathyroidism

immobility

21
Q

HYPERcalcemia Interventions

A 
IV NS
↑ Fluids
Furosemide 
Calcitonin - ↓ Ca levels
mobility, ambulation
22
Q

Mg

Action

A

1.3-2.3

Mg acts as DEPRESSANT
DIRECT relationship w/ Ca

23
Q

HYPOmagnesium S/Sx

A

Low Mg = EXCITABLE CNS

↑ neuromuscular irritability
tremors, tetany, seizures
depression, confusion
dysphagia - assess swallowing

24
Q

HYPOmagnesium Causes

A

D
diuretic or laxative abuse
alcoholism
GI suction

25
Q

HYPOmagnesium Interventions

A

IV MgSO4

FOODS: green veggies, nuts, bananas, oranges, peanut butter, chocolate

26
Q

HYPERmagnesium S/Sx

A 
*DEPRESSES CNS*
↓ BP, ↓ DTR, paralysis
flushed face
muscle weakness
shallow respirations
27
Q

HYPERmagnesium Causes

A 
renal failure
Mg hydroxide (antacid)
28
Q

HYPERmagnesium Interventions

A 
EMERGENCY!!
D/C PO and IV MgSO4
support ventilation
IV Ca gluconate
monitor DTR
29
Q

RBC

A

4.2 - 6.2 million/mm3

30
Q

WBC

A

5,000 - 10,000

31
Q

Hgb

A

13 - 18

32
Q

Bleeding time

A

1.5 - 9.5 minutes

33
Q

PTT (partial thromboplastin time)

Action

A

Monitors effectiveness of HEPARIN therapy

25-35 seconds

34
Q

PT (prothrombin time)

Action

A

Monitors effectiveness of COUMADIN (Warfarin) therapy

9 - 12 seconds

35
Q

INR

Action

A

Monitors effectiveness of ANTICOAGULATION therapy

1.0
2 - 3 = Afib, DVT, PE therapy
2.5 - 3.5 = prosthetic heart valves therapy

36
Q

ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)

Action

A

Indicated inflammation

0 - 20

37
Q

Hct

A

40 - 50%

Increase 4+% in 2wks – HTN, SEIZURES (even if still within norm/low)

38
Q

PLT

A

150,000 - 450,000

39
Q

LDL

NC

A
40
Q

HDL

A

60+

41
Q

Creatinine

BUN

A

Creatinine: 0.6 - 1.2
BUN: 7 - 18

Tests renal func

42
Q

Albumin

Action

A

Detects protein malnutrition

3.5 - 5.5

43
Q

ALT/ AST

A

10 - 40 units

Tests hepatic func

44
Q

PaCO2

A

35 - 45

Resp Acidosis = 45+
Resp Alkalosis = 35-

45
Q

HCO3

A

22 - 26

Metabolic Acidosis = 22-
Metabolic Alkalosis = 26+

46
Q

Urine Specific Gravity (USG)

A

1.01 - 1.03

47
Q

CVP (Central Cenous Pressure)

A

3-12 cm of water pressure
2-6 mmHg

Monitors fluid load and effectiveness of fluid replacement therapy

  • 12+ cm or 6+mm = HYPERvolemia
  • 3-cm or 2-mm = HYPOvolemia

NCLEX (4 decks)

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