Laboratory Analysis Flashcards
Na+
normal Range
135 - 145 mEq/L
Primary extracellular cation
Marker for fluid status
Increase Na can cause fluid retention
How fast should you correct Na+?
No faster than 0.5 mEq/L per hour
Causes of hyponatremia
CHF
Renal failure
Liver disease
Heavy exercise
Dehydration
Dilution hyponatremia—water poisoning, SIADH
What can happen if you correct hyponatremia to fast?
Central Pontine Myelinolysis
Demyelination of nerve fibers
K+
Normal range
3.5 - 5 mEq/L
Primary intercellular cation
Response for cell excitability, resting membrane potential
Causes of hyperkalemia
Tissue breakdown
Drug administration
Metabolic acidosis
Acute renal failure
Hyperkalemia treatment
Bicarbonate
Insulin
D50W
Albuterol
Calcium
Hypokalemia causes
Cellular shifts
GI or renal losses
Lasix administration
Cl-
Normal Range
96 -106 mEq/L
Extracellular anion
Helps kidney concentrate urine
Total CO2
Normal range
22 - 26 mEq/L
Same as HCO3 on ABG
Helps maintain acid-base balance
Venous bicarbonate level
BUN
Normal Range
8 - 23 mg/dL
Product of protein catabolism
Provides picture of renal clearance
Cr
Normal Range
0.7 - 1.4 mg/dL
Provides picture of renal clearance
Does not pinpoint disease, indicates decreased function
Glucose (Glu)
Normal Range
70 - 110 mg/dL
Total Calcium Ca++
Normal Range
8.5 - 10.2
Most essential electrolyte
Causes of Hypercalcemia
Tumor on parathyroid
Tuberculosis
Thiazide diuretics
Kidney Transplant
Causes of Hypocalcemia
Decreased intake
Low levels of albumin
Alcoholism/liver disease
Pancreatitis
Renal Failure
Ionized Calcium
Normal Range
4.5 - 5.6
Determines total body calcium to free calcium
Anion Gap
Normal Range
12 (+/-4)
The higher the gap, the worse the acidosis
Total Protein
Normal Range
6.0 - 8.0 g/dL
Consists of albumin and immunoglobulins
Red Blood Cells (RBC)
Normal range
5 million
Values vary by gender
Hemoglobin (Hgb)
Normal range
15 g/dL
Hematocrit
Normal Range
45%
Percentage of blood that is formed elements within plasma
White Blood Cells (WBC)
Normal Range
4500 - 11,000/uL
Low levels—sepsis, cancers
Elevated-Leukocytosis—inflammation, infection, PE, MI, DVT, steroids, trauma
Platelets
Normal range
150 K - 400 K/uL
Aids in clotting
Low platelets = thrombocytopenia
Albumin
Normal range
3.5 - 5.0 g/dL
Produced in liver
Decreased in liver disease
Main source of oncotic pressure
PT (Prothrombin Time)
Normal Range
10 - 13 seconds
Extrinsic pathway
Triggered by damaged tissue
Releases tissue thromboplastin
Highest in brain & placenta
Platelets activate
Initiates clotting
Formation of clot
PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time)
Normal Range
25 - 40 second
Intrinsic pathway
Triggered by endothelial damage
Platelets activate
Initiates clotting
Formation of clot
INR (International Normalized Ratio)
Normal Range
0.9 - 1.3 sec
Therapeutic INR for pts on anticoagulants 2 - 3 sec
Higher INR, less patient will clot
ALT (Alanine transaminase)
Normal range
7 - 55 unit per liter
Enzyme in the liver that helps body metabolize protein
AST (Aspartate transaminase)
Normal Range
8 - 48
Increased levels indicates liver damage, disease or muscle damage
ALP (Alkaline phosphatase)
Normal Range
45 - 115
Enzyme in liver, bile ducts and bone
Increased indicates liver damage/disease, blocked bile duct or bone disease
Bilirubin
Normal Range
0.1 - 1.2 mg/dL
Normal breakdown of RBC
Elevated indicates liver damage/disease
Jaundice
Lactate
Normal Range
0.5 - 1 mmol/L
Lactic acidosis > 4 - 5 mmol/L
decreased blood flow to cells
Trends have more prognostic implications
Amylase
Normal Range
25 - 135 U/L
Used to detect pancreatitis
> 300
Elevates within 2 - 12 hours
Lipase
Normal Range
5 - 60 U/L
Lipase breaks down fats
Increased levels > 150 indicates pancreatitis
Osmolality
Normal range
275 - 295 mOsm/L
Measures the weight (solute) of solution
Indicator of hydration status
Osmolality of blood increases with dehydration and decreases with over hydration
