Labs Flashcards
What does ABCD means r/t labs?
A - low priority and can be ignored for a few hours or if late at night can wait until early morning
B - concerning and this lab needs to be closely monitored
C - critical and you need to do something for this lab
D - highest priority and you need to stay at the bedside
What is creatinine?
Best indicator of kidney functioning
What does INR test? ___ level when at ___ and above. What should you do?
Monitors warfarin
Level C when at 4 and above
Hold Warfarin, focus assessment on bleeding, prepare to give Vitamin K, Call HCP
What level is K+ is low? What do you do?
Level C if K+ is low
Nothing to hold, assess heart, prepare to give K+, call HCP
What level if K+ is high? What level if K+ is over ____? What do you do in both situaitons?
High K+ is a level C
- Hold K+, assess heart, prepare to give D5W/insulin and kayexelate, call HCP
K+ >6 is a level D
- Hold K+, assess heart, prepare to give D5W/insulin and kayexelate, call HCP and stay with patient
What pH level is considered a level D?
pH in the 6s is a level D
Nothing to hold, assess VS, nothing to prepare, call HCH and do not leave patient
Must treat underlying cause so doctor has to be notified to diagnose and treat
What does BUN test?
Waste in the blood
Assess for dehydration and prepare IV fluids
Hemoglobin is considered a level C if _____
Level C hemoglobin <8
Nothing to hold, assess for bleeding/anemia/malnutrition, Prepare blood, call HCP
A CO2 of ____ is a level C. What do you do?
CO2 in the 50s is a level C
Nothing to hold, assess for breathing, ask patient to preform pursed lipped breathing, call HCP
A CO2 of ____ is a level D. What do you do?
CO2 in the 60s or above is a level D
Nothing to hold, prepare to intubate/ventilate, call RT/HCP, DO NOT leave patient
What is a level C for PaO2? What action?
Level C if PaO2 is between 70-77
Nothing to hold, assess for respiration difficulty and dyspnea, prepare to give oxygen, call HCP
What will increase first in a patient with low oxygen? What will come next?
Increased HR first when low PaO2 then when the body can no longer compensate an increase RR will occur
What are the 2 most common reasons for episodic causes of tachycardia in a heart patient? What should you do?
Hypoxia and dehydration
Give oxygen and increase fluids
What is a level D for PaO2? What action?
If PaO2 is in the 60s or lower (respiratory failure)
Prepare to intubate/ventilate, call RT/HCP, stay with patient
An O2 saturation under ____ is a level C. Action? What invalidate your reading?
Under 93% is a level C
Give patient oxygen
Anemia
Dye procedure/contract b/c dyes the blood
**both of these are falsely high so you will think your patient is actually doing better than they are
