Priority Lab Values

Question 1

Priority levels A-D

Answer 1

A: abnormal, but not priority
B: abnormal, monitor patient
C: High priority — critical and must do something about it (hold, assess, prepare to give, call whoever appropriate)
D: Highest priority

Question 2

Normal creatinine

Answer 2

0.6-1.2

Question 3

Abnormal creatinine is a level ___ priority

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Normal INR

Answer 4

2-3

Question 5

INR ___ and above is considered critical and would be level ___ priority

Answer 5

4; C

Question 6

Abnormal potassium is a level ___ priority

Answer 6

C

Question 7

A potassium greater than or equal to ___ is a level D priority

Answer 7

6
NOTE: DO NOT leave the bedside of level D priorities

Question 8

A pH in the ___’s is a level D priority

Answer 8

6
NOTE: assess vital signs, notify HCP, stay at bedside!

Question 9

Elevated BUN is a level ___ priority

Answer 9

A
NOTE: assess for dehydration

Question 10

Normal BUN

Answer 10

8-25

Question 11

Normal hemoglobin

Answer 11

12-18

Question 12

Hemoglobin between 8-11 is a level ___ priority

Answer 12

B
NOTE: assess for low Hgb, bleeding, malnutrition

Question 13

Hemoglobin below 8 is a level ___ priority

Answer 13

C
NOTE: assess for bleeding, prepare to administer blood, notify HCP

Question 14

Normal bicarb

Answer 14

22-26

Question 15

Abnormal bicarb is a level ___ priority

Answer 15

A

Question 16

Normal CO2

Answer 16

35-45

Question 17

CO2 in the 50s is a level ___ priority

Answer 17

C
NOTE: assess respiratory status, instruct patient on pursed lip breathing

Question 18

CO2 in the 60s is a level ___ priority

Answer 18

D
NOTE: this is a medical emergency — patient is in respiratory failure. ASSESS respiratory status, PREPARE to intubate and ventilate, CALL RT and HCP, stay with the patient!

Question 19

Normal hematocrit

Answer 19

36-54

Question 20

Elevated hematocrit is a level ___ priority

Answer 20

B
NOTE: assess for dehydration

Question 21

Normal PO2

Answer 21

78-100

Question 22

PO2 in the low 70s is a level ___ priority

Answer 22

C
NOTE: assess respiratory status, administer oxygen

Question 23

PO2 in the low 60s is a level ___ priority

Answer 23

D
NOTE: assess respiratory status, prepare to intubate/ventilate, call RT and HCP

Question 24

Normal BNP

Answer 24

Less than 100

Question 25

BNP greater than 100 is a level ___ priority

Answer 25

B
NOTE: monitor for CHF

Question 26

SaO2 can be falsely elevated under which conditions?

Answer 26

With anemia; after dye procedures
NOTE: this is not a good thing! Patient may appear better off than they actually are

Question 27

Sodium that is abnormal WITH changes in LOC is level ___ priority

Answer 27

C

Question 28

Normal WBCC

Answer 28

5,000-11,000

Question 29

Normal absolute neutrophil count (ANC)

Answer 29

> 500

Question 30

Normal CD4+ count

Answer 30

> 200
NOTE: less than 200 is indicative of AIDS

Question 31

ALL LOW white counts are classified as a level ___ priority

Answer 31

C
NOTE: assess for signs of infection, implement neutropenic precautions (do NOT drink water than has been standing longer than 15 min — no water pitchers, no water bottle, etc.)

Question 32

Platelet count below 90,000 is a level ___ priority

Answer 32

C
NOTE: implement bleeding precautions

Question 33

Platelet count less than 40,000 is a level ___ priority

Answer 33

D

Question 34

Normal RBC

Answer 34

4-6 million

Question 35

Abnormal RBCC is a level ___ priority

Answer 35

B

Question 36

What are the 5 D-priority lab values?

Answer 36

1) pH in the 6’s
2) potassium in the 6’s
3) CO2 in the 60’s
4) O2 in the 60’s
5) platelet count less than 40,000

Question 37

What are the 8 C-priority lab values?

Answer 37

1) CO2 in the 50s
2) INR of 4 or greater
3) potassium lower than 3.5
4) PO2 is the low 70s
5) SaO2 less than 93
6) low OR high sodium that affects LOC
7) low WBCC’s
8) low platelet counts