Lab Values Flashcards
WBC
White blood cell count
Indicates fx status of immune system
5,000-10,000 uL
Leukocytosis
High WBC
Due to acute/chronic infection or malignancy
Leukopenia
Low WBC
Disease of immune system or radiation/chemo
WBC implication for tx
> 11,000 may have decreased tolerance to activity
<5,000 w/ fever - consider postponing due to risk of infection
Hct
Hemotcrit - vol of RBC in whole blood
Eval Armenia and abnormal state of hydration
Male 42-52%
Female 37-47%
Increased Hct
Tobacco use, severe Lung disease
Decreased Hct
Anemia or hemodilution
Hct implications for tax
Low: weakness, fatigue, DOE, tachycardia
25-30% consider modifying tx
<25% consider postponing tx
Frequent vital monitoring and rest period recommended
Hb
Hemoglobin- reflects O2 carrying component of RBC - indicates severity of anemia
Male: 14-18 g/dL
Female: 12-16 g/dL
Hb levels
Increased: smokers and lung disease
Decreased: anemia
Hb implications for tax
8-10 g/dL —> modify due to reduced exercise capacity
<8 g/dL—>consider postponing tax
Plts
Platelets - clotting process, bleeding stopped and would healing begins
150,000-400,000
Thrombocytosis
High Plt count
Iron deficiency, neoplasm, inflammation, infection
Thrombocytopenia
Low Plt count
Liver disease, platelet disorders, viral infection
Plts implication for tx
-low levels, bleeding can occur form mucosal surfaces w/ inor truama
-20,000-50,000 light AROM if asymptomatic; gait training as tolerated, no resistive
<20,000 NO TX!!
Na
Sodium - electrolyte important in nerve conduction, muscle contraction, cell fx
Changes cause cells to shrink or swell
136-145 mEq/L
Hypernatremia
Increased NA
> 160 mEq/L
Hyponatremia
Decreased Na
<120 mEq/L
Na levels affected by
Diuretics, diarrhea, CHF
Na implications for tx
Be aware of potential symtpoms when Na is LOW:
Weakness, confusion, stupor, hypotension, seizures, edema, weight gain
K
Potassium - electrolyte important for muscle and nerve conduction
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Hyperkalemia
Increased K - due to kidney disease or certain meds
Can produce EEG changes, nausea, diarrhea
Hypokalemia
Decreased K - caused by diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration
Can lead to dangerous ventricular arrhythmia, cardiac irritability, dizziness, hypotension
K implications for tx
Minor changes can have sig consequence for cardiac fx.
Pts w/ abnormal K should be seen for tx after the levels have been corrected
BUN
Blood urea nitrogen - waist product for protein metabolism, directly related to metabolic fx of liver and excretory fx of kidneys
10-20 mg/dL
BUN levels
Increased: renal and liver disease pt may need dialysis, kidneys not fx properly
Decreased: inadequate protein intake, malabsorption, liver damage
BUN implications for tx
No specific activity guidelines but pt w/ renal dysfunction may experience fatigue, muscle weakness, decreased mental status as BUN levels rise
Creatinine
By product of normal muscle metabolism, regulated and excreted by kidney
.6-1.2 mg/dL
Creatinine levels
High: reflect worsening kidney fx
Low: inadequate protein intake, liver disease, kidney damage
Creatinine implications for tx
No specific activity guidelines but patients with renal dysfunction may experience fatigue, muscle weakness, and decreased mental status as creatinine levels rise
Blood glucose
Measure of sugar content in blood - detect hyper, hypo, and diabetes
Fasting: 70-110 mg/dL
Hypoglycemia
Low blood glucose
Can lead to low activity tolerance
Sweating, hunger, trembling, anxiety, blurred vision, confusion
<60 mg/dL = hold tx until it has been corrected
Hyperglycemia
High blood glucose - can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis
Increased thirst, fatigue, blurred vision,
<300-350 mg/dL = hold tx
A1C test
Blood test provides info about average blood close level over past 3mo
<5.7% =normal
5.7-6.4% = prediabetes
>6.5% = diabetes
Coagulation profiles
Determine ability to initiation clotting sequence - dx clotting disorders, monitor anticoagulant therapy
“Therapeutic level” for coagulation
Level when the blood has been sufficiently antigoagulated given pt’s medical condition
PT or Pro Time
Prothrombin time - test to screen for bleeding disorders, measures the clotting time
Monitors effectiveness of oral anticoagulant therapy
11-12.5 seconds
Pro Time implications for tx
Patients receiving anticoagulant therapy may have levels that are 2 - 3 times the laboratory control values
With abnormally high levels, treatment may
be held due to increased risk of bleeding
PTT
Partial thromboplastin Time - measures clotting time in plasma - disorders of both excessive clotting and excessive bleeding
Monitors effectiveness of heparin anticoagulant therapy
30-40 seconds
PTT implications for tx
Patients receiving anticoagulant therapy mayhave levels that are 1.5 – 2.5 times the laboratory control values
With abnormally high levels, treatment may
be held due to increased risk of bleeding
Chart
Hbg
BWC>——
