Normal Labs Flashcards
Sodium (Na+)
135 - 145 mEq/L
Most abundant cation (+ charged ion) in the extracellular fluid and the chief base of the body.
maintains osmotic pressure, acid-base balance, and transmits nerve impulses
Na+ abnormal = is the sodium value abnormal or the body’s water content that is abnormal
(think of the net sodium content of the body as fixed and the water content of the body as
variable. This way, interpretation of abnormal sodium values focus on determining the
cause of abnormal water volume)
As patient becomes depleted of free (solute-free) water, the serum Na+ concentration increases (more sodium than water)
Excess extracellular water decreases serum Na+ levles
Potassium K+
3.5 - 5.5 mEq/L
Primary Intracellular cation
Most DANGEROUS abnormality
HCO3 or CO2 Bicarbonate
22-26 mmol/L
Blood Urea Nitrogen BUN
7-20 mg/dL
Urea is a waste product formed in the liver
Helps provide a picture of renal clearance
Creatinine Cr
0.5 - 1.2 mg/dL
Helps provide a picture of renal clearance
Does not pinpoint disease, but indicates decreased function
High levels can result in permanent kidney damage
Cl Chloride
98 - 108 mEq/L
High levels of chloride may indicate: Dehydration: Kidney Disease: Acidosis/Alkalosis
Low levels of chloride may indicate: Heart Failure: Lung Diseases
Tends to shift with Na+
Glucose Glu
80 – 120 mg/dL
RBC
5
RBCs contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen. How much oxygen your body tissues get depends on how many RBCs you have and how well they work.
Hgb
15
PRBC Administration Rarely Indicated Hgb < 10 Always Indicated Hgb < 6
Delivers oxygen to the tissues and returns CO2 to the lungs.
Women will have lower count than males.
Hct
45
Measure of the red blood cells in the blood.
WBC
5k - 10k
Body’s defense system
Low levels may be seen in sepsis because they are destroyed faster than produced, also found in anemia
Leukocytosis (elevated WBC’s) seen with inflammation, infection, vascular conditions (PE, MI, DVT’s) steroids and trauma
Platlets (Plt)
150k - 450k
Platelets help to control bleeding.
Platelets form an occlusion at small injurious openings in blood vessels; and the second by a thromboplastic function which stimulates the coagulation cascade.
International Normalized Ratio (INR)
1.0 sec
An INR is a type of calculation based on PT test results to ensure accuracy of test.
Higher number means blood clots more slowly than desired.
Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)
21 - 35 sec
(intrinsic pathway)
This test is performed primarily to determine if heparin (blood thinning) therapy is effective.
Extended PTT times can be a result of anticoagulation therapy, liver problems, lupus, and other diseases that result in poor clotting.
Prothrombin Time (PT)
11 sec
(extrinsic pathway)
PT test measures how long it takes for a clot to form in a blood sample
Increased time = longer time for blood to clot
Creat
1
Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscles from the breakdown of a compound called creatine. Creatinine is removed from the body by the kidneys, which filter almost all of it from the blood and release it into the urine.
Increased creatinine and BUN levels in the blood may mean that your kidneys are not working as they should.
ABG pH
7.35 - 7.45
Hyperkalemia
> 5.0 mEq/L
Causes Include:
Tissue Breakdown / Drug Administration
Metabolic Acidosis / Acute Renal Failure
S/S = Abdominal cramps / Nausea / Hypotension / Bradycardia / Numbness (especially in the legs)
EKG will show tall (Tented or Peaked)T waves
Hypokalemia
< 3.5 mEq/L
Causes Include:
Cellular shifts (insulin, hypothermia)
GI or Renal Losses
Lasix is a common cause
S/S: Malaise, weakness, hx of poor diet
EKG will show depressed, inverted or flat T-waves
Hypocalcemia
< 8.5 mgdL
Decreased calcium or vitamin D intake
Alcoholism / Liver Disease
Pancreatitis / Renal Failure
S/S: Anxiety, Confusion, Delerium
Hyperactive Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTR’s 3+ or 4+)
Prolonged QT interval, Narrow QRS, possible U wave
Treat with Calcium Gluconate
Do NOT Bolus, may lead to hypotension, syncope or arrhythmias
