Lab Values ("Need to Know")

Question 1

Sodium (Na+)

Answer 1

136-145 mEq/L

Question 2

Potassium (K+)

Answer 2

3.5-5 mEq/L

Question 3

Calcium total (Ca++)

Answer 3

9.0-10.5 mg/dL

Question 4

Magnesium (Mg++)

Answer 4

1.3-2.1 mEq/L

Question 5

Phosphorus (PO4)

Answer 5

3.0-4.5 mg/dL

Question 6

Chloride (Cl)

Answer 6

98-106 mEq/L

Question 7

pH

Answer 7

7.35-7.45

Question 8

PaCO2

Answer 8

35-45 mm Hg

Question 9

PaO2

Answer 9

80-100 mm Hg

Question 10

HCO3 (bicarbonate)

Answer 10

21-28 mEq/L

Question 11

RBCs: Male/Female

Answer 11

Male: 4.7-6.1 million/uL & Female: 4.2-5.4 million/uL

Question 12

Hgb: Male/Female

Answer 12

Male: 14-18 g/dL & Female: 12-16 g/dL

Question 13

Hct: Male/Female

Answer 13

Male: 42-52% & Female: 37-47% (3x Hgb level)

Question 14

WBCs

Answer 14

5,000-10,000 mm3

Question 15

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

Answer 15

< 20 mm/hr

Question 16

Total serum cholesterol

Answer 16

< 200 mg/dL; if high risk for cardiac or stroke event 150 mg/dL

Question 17

LDL (low-density lipids)

Answer 17

< 130 mg/dL

Question 18

HDL (high-density lipids)

Answer 18

< 150 mg/dL

Question 19

Triglycerides

Answer 19

< 150 mg/dL; Males 40-160 mg/dL; Females 35-135 mg/dL

Question 20

Normal INR

Answer 20

0.7-1.8

Question 21

Therapeutic INR

Answer 21

2.0-3.0

Question 22

Normal PT

Answer 22

11-12.5 sec

Question 23

Therapeutic PT (anticoagulant therapy)

Answer 23

1.5-2 times the normal or control value

Question 24

Normal Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)

Answer 24

30-40 sec

Question 25

Therapeutic aPTT (anticoagulant therapy)

Answer 25

45-80 sec (1.5-2 times the normal or control value) - 100 sec is at a critical level

Question 26

Platelets

Answer 26

150,000-400,000/mm3

Question 27

Albumin

Answer 27

3.5-5 g/dL

Question 28

Ammonia

Answer 28

15-45 mcg/dL

Question 29

Total bilirubin

Answer 29

0.1-1.0 mg/dL

Question 30

Total protein

Answer 30

6-8 g/dL

Question 31

Urine specific gravity

Answer 31

1.005-1.025 (hint: the higher the levels, the dryer the pt is)

Question 32

Urine protein

Answer 32

0.8 mg/dL

Question 33

Urine glucose

Answer 33

< 0.5 g/day

Question 34

Urine ketones

Answer 34

none

Question 35

Urine pH

Answer 35

4.6-8

Question 36

Urine WBC: Male/Female

Answer 36

Male: 0-3 per high-power field & Female: 0-5 per high-power field

Question 37

Serum creatinine: Male/Female

Answer 37

Male: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL & Female: 0.5-1.1 mg/dL

Question 38

BUN

Answer 38

10-20 mg/dL

Question 39

Creatinine clearance test: Male/Female

Answer 39

Male: 90-139 mL/min & Female: 80-125 mL/min - This is a calculation of GFR & is the best indicator for overall renal fxn

Question 40

Glucose (fasting)

Answer 40

70-105 mg/dL

Question 41

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1c)

Answer 41

4-6% (> 8% indicates poor DM control)