Normal Values

Question 1

Hgb

Hemoglobin: g/dL

Answer 1

Male: 14-18
Female: 12-16
Pregnant: >11
1-6 yr: 9.5-14
6-18 yr: 10-15.5
High-altitude living increases values.
Drug therapy can alter values.
Slight Hgb decreases normally occur during pregnancy.

Question 2

Hct

Hematocrit: %

Answer 2

Male: 42-52
Female: 37-47
Pregnant: >33
1-6 yr: 30-40
6-18 yr: 32-44
Abnormalities in RBC size may alter Hct values.

Question 3

RBC

Red blood cell count: million/mm3

Answer 3

Male: 4.7-6.1
Female: 4.2-5.4
1-6 yr: 4-5.5
6-18 yr: 4.5-5
Exercise and high altitudes can cause an increase in values. Pregnancy values are usually lower. Drug therapy can alter values.

Question 4

WBC
White blood
cell count: 1000/mm3

Answer 4

Both sexes: 5-10
≤2 yr: 6.2-17
≥2 yr: 5-10
Anesthetics, stress, exercise, and convulsions can cause
increased values. Drug therapy can decrease values for 24-48 hr. Pregnancy (final month) and labor may cause increased WBC levels.

Question 5

Platelet count:

1000/mm3

Answer 5

Both sexes: 150-400
Child: 150-400
Values may increase if living at high altitudes, exercising strenuously, or taking oral contraceptives. Values may decrease due to hemorrhage, DIC, reduced production of platelets, infections, prosthetic heart valves, and drugs (acetaminophen, aspirin, chemotherapy, H2-blockers, INH, Levaquin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, thiazide diuretics).

Question 6

SED rate, ESR
Erythrocyte sedimentation
rate: mm/hr

Answer 6

Male: up to 15
Female: up to 20
Pregnant: ↑ all trimesters
Child: Up to 10
Rate is elevated during 2nd and 3rd pregnancy.

Question 7

PT

Prothrombin time: seconds

Answer 7

Both sexes: 11-12.5
Pregnant: Slight ↓
Used in regulating Coumadin therapy. Therapeutic range is 1.5-2 times normal/control.

Question 8

INR

International Normalized Ratio

Answer 8

Both sexes: 0.8-1.1

Used to monitor anticoagulation therapy. INR must be individualized.

Question 9

PTT

Partial thromboplastin time: seconds

Answer 9

Both sexes: 60-70
Pregnant: Slight ↓
It is used in regulating heparin therapy. Therapeutic range is 1.5-2.5 times normal or control.

Question 10

aPTT
Activated partial thromboplastin
time: seconds

Answer 10

Both sexes: 30-40

It is used in regulating heparin therapy. Therapeutic range is 1.5-2.5 times normal or control.