Lab Values & Clinical Implications Flashcards
Blood pressure range –Adult
<120/80mm/hg
Abnormal Range:
-Hypertension >140/90mm/hg
-Hypotension <90/60mm/hg
Critical Value:
-Hypertensive Crisis: 180/120mm/hg
Blood Pressure: Hypotension symptoms
- Weakness
- Sleepiness
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Syncope
- Light-headedness
Blood Pressure: Hypertension symptoms
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Chest pain
- Visual changes
BP: Hypotension clinical implications
- Check pt’s BP in supine before therapy
- Proceed carefully with functional mobility, rechecking pt’s BP & reported symptoms after changes in position
- If pt’s BP drops more than 20mmHg systolic & more than 10mmHg diastolic: elevate legs. If symptoms continue = supine. Notify nurse, obvi. If symptoms subside, continue with therapy carefully, rechecking BP frequently.
BP: Hypertension clinical implications
Hypertensive Crisis = Activity is contraindicated. Back out…Back out!
HR: Normal resting range for an adult
60-100BPM (active people may have lower resting HRs)
HR: Abnormal resting range
Bradycardia = <60BPM
Tachycardia = >100BPM
Max HR = 220 – age.
E.g., pt is 40 y/o. Max HR = 180 (220 - 40)
Abnormal HR symptoms
Fatigue, dizziness, fainting, SOB, chest pain, & cardiac arrest.
Abnormal HR clinical implications
Tachy = rest break; monitor; continue/discontinue.
Brady/Tachy = notify RN. May be advised to discontinue.
Oxygen saturation (O2 levels)
Normal range: 97-99%
Abnormal range: <90%
O2 level clinical implications
Deep breathing & upright positioning assist with oxygenation
Glucose purpose & normal/abnormal range
Purpose: Measure of blood sugar levels.
Normal range: 70-110mg/dl (fasted)
Abnormal range:
- Hypoglycemia <60mg/dl
- Hyperglycemia >250mg/dl
- Prediabetes >110-200mg/dl
- Diabetes >126 mg/dl
Hypoglycemia causes & clinical implications (including symptoms)
<60mg/dl
Causes: insulin overdose, skipped meals, or overexertion in exercise.
Clinical Implications:
- Symptoms) headache, weakness, shakiness, clamminess, impaired muscle control, blurred vision, or difficulty responding to commands.
- Defer therapy
- Avoid exercise before mealtime & after insulin because both can result in reduced blood sugar levels.
Hyperglycemia causes & clinical implications (including symptoms)
> 250mg/dl
Causes: Diabetes mellitus or stress
Clinical implications: Acetone breath, rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting, weakness, dehydration, coma.
Defer therapy if >300mg/dl
Leukocytes: purpose & normal/abnormal ranges
Purpose: Indicates immune system status, infection, or inflammation.
Normal range: 5,000-11,000/mm
Abnormal:
- Leukocytosis: >11,000/mm
- Leukopenia: <5,000/mm
Critical Values:
- >30,000/mm
- <2,000/mm
Leukocytes clinical implications
<1,000/mm = Defer therapy
<4,000/mm = Neutropenic precautions observed–hand washing, PPE, disinfecting equipment prior to entering room.
Hemoglobin: Purpose & normal/abnormal range
Purpose: measures the blood’s capacity to carry O2.
Normal range:
- Males: 13-18g/dl
- Females: 12-16g/dl
Abnormal range:
- <8g/dl may indicate need for transfusion.
Critical values: <5g/dl heart failure or death.
Hemoglobin symptoms & clinical implications
Symptoms: weakness, fatigue, tachycardia, dyspnea on exertion, heart palpitations, & decreased exercise tolerance.
<8g/dl = Defer therapy.
8-10g/dl = Light exercise is ok, but closely monitor vitals; pt may have poor activity tolerance.
10g/dl = Resistive exercise can be incorporated into the plan of care.
Platelets purpose & normal/abnormal ranges
Purpose: Platelets are responsible for blood clots.
Normal range: 150,000–400,000
Abnormal range:
- Thrombocytosis: >1mil
-Thrombocytopenia: <150,000
Critical values: <20,000
Platelets clinical implications
Thrombocytopenia = risk for bleeding easily (gums, nose, internal) & for bruising.
<20,000 – Deffer
20,000-50,000 – Light AROM; light ADLs; ambulation ok
<50,000 – PROM only (no resistive exercise); ambulation & ADLs ok
50,000 – Resistive exercise ok
