Lab Values/Meanings

Question 1

Components of CHEM-7

Answer 1

Na, Cl, BUN, K, CO2, SCr, Glucose

Question 2

Sodium

Answer 2

135-145 mEq/L

Major regulating factor for bodily water balance

Hypernatremia could result from more water loss than Na loss or an IV hypertonic solution

Question 3

Potassium

Answer 3

3.5-5.0 mEq/L

Regulation of muscle and nerve excitability through action potentials

Hypokalemia shifts due to insulin or dextrose. Deficit could result from diet, meds, vomiting or diarrhea

Hyperkalemia symptoms include rhythm disorders, bradycardia or cardiac arrest. Can result in crush injuries, burns or hemolysis. May also result from increased intake, renal failure or drugs.

Question 4

Chloride

Answer 4

96-106 mEq/L

Passive role in balancing positive charge; follows sodium to maintain osmolarity

Question 5

Bicarbonate

Answer 5

22-32 mEq/mL

Total carbon dioxide which is a measure of serum bicarbonate (needed for acid-base balance)

Assesses metabolic pH status

Metabolic alkalosis (headache, lethargy, tetany)

Metabolic acidosis (increased breath rate)

Question 6

BUN

Answer 6

Blood Urea Nitrogen

8-20 mEq/mL

Measure of serum nitrogen as a waste product from protein metabolism

Useful in assessing renal function and hydration status; also for liver and nutrition status

Question 7

Serum Creatinine

Answer 7

0.7-1.2 mg/dL

Produced in muscle as decomposition product and excreted by kidneys

BUN:SCr greater than 20:1 = pre-renal

Used to evaluate renal function

Question 8

Ideal Body Weight Calc

Answer 8

Males: 50kg + 2.3(inches over 5 ft)
Females: 45.4kg +2.3(inches over 5 ft)

Question 9

Adjusted Body Weight Calc

Answer 9

ABW = IBW + 0.4(ABW-IBW)

Question 10

Crockcroft-Gault

Answer 10

Used to calculate CrCl

[(140-age)x(weight in kg)] / SCr x 72

x.85 for females

Question 11

Glucose

Answer 11

70-110 mg/dL

Fuel for most cellular processes (need 40 for brain function; 450 is critical)

Worry about ketoacidosis at critical value

Question 12

Magnesium

Answer 12

1.5-2.2 mEq/L

Involved in neuromuscular and enzymatic functions

Linked with potassium

Used for treatment of chronic Torsades de pointes

Question 13

Calcium

Answer 13

8.5-10.8 mg/dL

Involved in neuromuscular activity, endocrine function and bone health

Bound to serum albumin

Corrected Ca = [.8x(4mg/dL - Alb)] + Ca

Hypocalcemia (parasthesis, tetany)
Hypercalcemia (twitching, kidney stones, constipation)

Question 14

Phosphate

Answer 14

2.6-4.5 mg/dL

Component of phospholipid membranes and high energy ATP bonds

Hyperphosphatemia common in CKD (take phosphate binders) and associated with hypocalcemia

Question 15

Albumin

Answer 15

3.5-5 g/dL

main serum protein produced by liver

Binds ions and drugs

Hyperalbuminemia not really an issue and might result from sudden dehydration

Hypoalbuminemia from liver failure or nutrition issues

Question 16

Hemoglobin

Answer 16

Males: 14-18 g/dL
Females: 12-16 g/dL

Measure of oxygen transport in blood

Question 17

Hematocrit

Answer 17

Male: 42-50%
Female: 36-45%

Indicates percent of volume of blood composed of erythrocytes after being centrifuged or the “packed cell volume”

Question 18

WBCs

Answer 18

3.8-10.8 x 10^3 cells per micro-liter

Question 19

Platelets

Answer 19

140-440 x 10^3 micro-liters

Involved in forming clots