Overview Hemoglobin Normal Value Range Pathophysiology Special considerations Elevated hemoglobin Decreased hemoglobin Nursing Points General Normal value range Males – 13.5-16.5 g/dL Females – 12.0 – 15.0 g/dL Pathophysiology Protein attached to red blood cell Iron based protein 4 groups 2 alpha 2 beta Has a high affinity (attraction) for oxygen Oxyhemoglobin Has oxygen attached Deoxyhemoglobin Oxygen has been released Oxyhemoglobin Dissociation Curve Oxygen saturation Shift to the right Partia...
Jun 21, 2023•4 min
Overview Hematocrit Normal Value Range Pathophysiology Special considerations Elevations in lab results Decreased HCT levels Nursing Points General Normal value range HCT measured in percentage Males – 41-50% Females – 36-44% Pathophysiology Measurement of total pRBCs compared to rest of blood volume Helps to indicate anemia Often measured with HGB (hemoglobin) Special considerations Lavender top tube (EDTA) Be cautious with technique Do not force sample into tube Can cause hemolysis Alters resu...
Jun 19, 2023•5 min
Objective: Determine the significance and clinical use of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in clinical practice Lab Test Name: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate- ESR Description: The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) test measures sedimentation of Red Blood Cells (RBCs). In normal conditions, RBCs settle or sediment very little. Inflammation affects proteins in the blood causing RBCs to stick and settle together out of the liquid portion of the blood. Indications: Identifies inflammation which ass...
Jun 14, 2023•3 min
Objective: Determine the significance and clinical use of D-Dimer in clinical practice Lab Test Name: D-Dimer- DDI Description: Measurement of D-Dimer evaluates the amount of byproduct produced as part of fibrinolysis D-dimer (DDI) is a product of fibrinolysis D-dimer levels are elevated in the setting of clot breakdown, and will be significantly elevated in the setting of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). Indications: Identify and monitor Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)...
Jun 12, 2023•3 min
Objective: Determine the significance and clinical use of C-Reactive Protein in clinical practice Lab Test Name: C-Reactive Protein – CRP Description: C-reactive protein (CRP) is made in the liver in response to inflammation Measures CRP in the blood Increases quickly Decreases quickly Indications: Monitor or Identify: Inflammation in the body Appendicitis Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Crohn's Ulcerative Colitis Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Lupus (SLE – Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) Evaluate: C...
Jun 07, 2023•2 min
Overview Creatinine Normal Value Range Pathophysiology Special considerations Elevations in creatinine Decreases in creatinine Nursing Points General Normal values 0.7 – 1.4 mg/dL Pathophysiology Muscle breakdown and use Creatine -> creatinine Released into bloodstream Filtered through kidneys Excreted in urine Creatinine more specific to kidney function Special considerations Green top Submitted with renal panels or chems Creatinine clearance Tests creatinine in urine Compare to serum creati...
Jun 05, 2023•4 min
Objective: Determine the significance and clinical use of measuring Creatinine Clearance in clinical practice Lab Test Name: Creatinine Clearance – CrCl Description: Healthy kidneys remove creatinine from the blood. It then passes out of your body through urine. Creatinine is created in the body as a byproduct from normal wear and tear on muscles and protein in your diet. Creatinine Clearance is a test that compares the level of creatinine in the blood against the level in the urine and evaluate...
May 31, 2023•4 min
Overview Cholesterol Normal Value Range Pathophysiology Any special considerations when drawing the lab (i.e. on ice, etc.) Too High: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments Too Low: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments Nursing Points General Normal values Pathophysiology Functions Essential in cell membrane formation Precursor to Vitamin D Precursor to hormone formation Synthesized in liver Lipoproteins High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Removes excess levels of cholesterol Goal >60 mg/dL Low Density Lipoprotein (...
May 29, 2023•4 min
Overview BNP Normal Value Range Pathophysiology Special considerations Lab value elevations Nursing Points General Normal value range 100 pg/mL Pathophysiology Increased pressure overload due to increased SVR or volume Ventricular stretching causes release of BNP into bloodstream BNP released to aid in stress due to overload by: Increases excretion of sodium in urine = natriuresis Sodium follows water Decreased intravascular volume Decreased workload on the heart = improved cardiac function Spec...
May 24, 2023•3 min
Overview Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Normal Value Range Pathophysiology Special Considerations Elevated Values Decreased Values Nursing Points General Normal value range 7-20 mg/dL Pathophysiology Protein broken into amino acids -> Ammonia Ammonia converted to urea Urea excreted via kidneys Special considerations Green top tube Submitted in multiple panels Chem 7/Chem 10 CMP Renal panel Elevated values Renal failure Congestive heart failure Myocardial infarction Dehydration Urinary obstruction ...
May 22, 2023•5 min
Overview Total bilirubin Normal Value Range Pathophysiology Special considerations Elevations in Total bilirubin Nursing Points General Normal values 0.1-1.2 mg/dL Patho Breakdown product of RBCs Specifically heme (iron portion of hemoglobin) Transported to liver Bound with bile Excreted via GI tract and kidneys Conjugated Water soluble Unconjugated Not able to excrete it Carried to liver via albumin Conjugated in liver Special Considerations Submit in green top tube Usually submitted with liver...
May 17, 2023•3 min
Overview Ammonia Normal Value Range Pathophysiology Special considerations Too High: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments Too Low: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments Nursing Points General Normal value range 19-60 mcg/dL Pathophysiology Byproduct of protein metabolism Proteins → ammonia Ammonia → urea via the liver Urea excreted to the kidneys If ammonia is not converted to urea Ammonia ↑ in bloodstream Causes hepatic encephalopathy Neurotoxic ↓ Level of consciousness Confusion Altered mental status Refer to ...
May 15, 2023•5 min
Objective: Determine the significance and clinical use of alkaline phosphatase in clinical practice Lab Test Name: Alkaline Phosphatase – ALP Description: Measures amount of ALP in circulation Located in several places in the body: Liver Intestines Biliary tract Bones Placenta Different isoenzymes of ALP are used to determine: Liver, bone, intestine and other cancers Bone turnover in postmenopausal women Indications: Evaluation of ALP: Hepatobiliary disease Malignancies Bone disease Bone damage ...
May 10, 2023•4 min
Overview Albumin Normal Value Range Pathophysiology Special Considerations Too High: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments Too Low: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments Nursing Points General Normal value range 3.5 – 6.0 g/dL Pathophysiology Produced in the liver Main protein of plasma Responsible for maintaining oncotic pressure Draws fluid into blood vessel "Protein pulls" Refer to Fluid & Electrolytes lesson 01.02 Fluid Pressures Transport protein Serves as amino acid Nutrition Poor indicator of nutrition...
May 08, 2023•4 min
Objective: Determine the significance and clinical use of Alanine Aminotransferase in clinical practice Lab Test Name: Alanine Aminotransferase – ALT Description: Measures amount of ALT, an enzyme produced by the liver, present in circulation Found in: Most abundantly in liver Heart Skeletal muscle kidney Increases in lab values indicate liver disease or liver damage Indications: Evaluation of ALT: Progression of liver disease Monitoring response to treatment Normal Therapeutic Values: Normal – ...
May 03, 2023•4 min
Overview Glucose Normal Value Range Pathophysiology Special considerations Hyperglycemia Hypoglycemia Nursing Points General Normal value 70-115 mg/dL Pathophysiology Consumed via diet Carbohydrates Glycolysis Creates net positive energy sources Insulin Produced in pancreas Required to force glucose into cell Deficiency in insulin causes high glucose in blood Increase in insulin resistance causes high glucose in blood Special considerations Lab Green or gray tube Bedside CBG (Capillary blood glu...
May 01, 2023•7 min
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs What is the Lab Name for White Blood Cell (WBC) Lab Values? White Blood Cell What is the Lab Abbreviation for White Blood Cell? WBC What is White Blood Cell in terms of Nursing Labs? White blood cells (WBCs) are created in the bone marrow. Their primary function is to defend the body against infection. There are various types of WBCs which have different shapes and functions. Decreased WBC count is called Leukopenia and increased WB...
Apr 22, 2023•3 min
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs Overview Urinalysis Color & Clarity Protein RBC WBC Glucose Specific gravity Ketones pH Bilirubin/Urobilinogen Nursing Points General Normal value range Color & Clarity Normal – Yellow Other colors Drug interactions Propofol – green Methylene blue – blue/green Trauma Red/Brown Liver failure Brown/tea colored Clear – Normal Cloudy Cell or contaminant related Turbid Severe presence of cells (WBC, RBC) pH ~6 Changes in body con...
Apr 15, 2023•4 min
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs What is the Lab Name for Troponin I (cTNL) Lab Values? Troponin I What is the Lab Abbreviation for Troponin I? cTNL What is Troponin I in terms of Nursing Labs? Troponins are proteins that initiate contraction of muscle fibers. Troponin I (cTNL) is specific to heart muscle. Troponin levels stay elevated for a week after muscle damage before returning to normal. What is the Normal Range for Troponin I? There is a wide range of normal...
Apr 08, 2023•3 min
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs What is the Lab Name for Triglycerides (TG) Lab Values? Triglycerides What is the Lab Abbreviation for Triglycerides? TG What is Triglycerides in terms of Nursing Labs? Triglycerides (TG) are required to provide energy during the metabolic process, excess triglycerides are stored in adipose tissue. What is the Normal Range for Triglycerides? What are the Indications for Triglycerides? Evaluate for: Elevated triglycerides Risk for at...
Apr 01, 2023•4 min
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs Objective: Determine the significance and clinical use of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone in clinical practice Lab Test Name: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Description: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is released from the anterior pituitary in response to low levels of thyroid hormone. TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to release thyroid hormones Triiodothyronine (T3) Thyroxine (T4) T3 and T4 have an inverse relationship with TSH Indicat...
Mar 25, 2023•4 min
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs What is the Lab Name for Sodium (Na+) Lab Values? Sodium What is the Lab Abbreviation for Sodium? Na+ What is Sodium in terms of Nursing Labs? Sodium (Na+) is the most abundant cation in extracellular fluid. Sodium aids in osmotic pressure, renal retention and excretion of water, acid-base balance, regulation of other cations and anions in the body, plays a role in blood pressure regulation, and stimulation of neuromuscular reaction...
Mar 18, 2023•4 min
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs What is the Lab Name for Red Blood Cell (RBC) Lab Values? Red Blood Cell What is the Lab Abbreviation for Red Blood Cell? RBC What is Red Blood Cell in terms of Nursing Labs? Red Blood Cells (RBCs) contain hemoglobin which is responsible for oxygen transport throughout the body. RBCs are primarily produced in the bone marrow, they have a life span of 120 days and are destroyed in the spleen and liver. RBC production is regulated by ...
Mar 11, 2023•4 min
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs Objective: Determine the significance and clinical use of Prostate Specific Antigen in clinical practice Lab Test Name: Prostate Specific Antigen – PSA Description: Measurement of PSA in the bloodstream Used to diagnose and assess prostate health, size and function. Indications: Evaluate: Enlarged prostate when prostate cancer is suspected Stage cancer Effectiveness of treatments Normal Therapeutic Values: Normal – Male: Female: Col...
Mar 04, 2023•2 min
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs What is the Lab Name for Potassium (K+) Lab Values? Potassium What is the Lab Abbreviation for Potassium? K+ What is Potassium in terms of Nursing Labs? Potassium (K+) is the most abundant intracellular cation and plays a vital role in the transmission of electrical impulses in cardiac and skeletal muscle. It plays a role in acid base equilibrium. In states of acidosis hydrogen with enter the cell as this happens it will force potas...
Feb 25, 2023•5 min
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs What is the Lab Name for Platelets (PLT) Lab Values? Platelets What is the Lab Abbreviation for Platelets? (PLT) What is Platelets in terms of Nursing Labs? Platelets (PLT) play a role in coagulation, hemostasis, and thrombus formation. Platelets are the smallest blood cell, damaged vessels send out signals that result in platelets traveling to the area and becoming "active". What is the Normal Range for Platelets? 100,000 – 450,000...
Feb 18, 2023•5 min
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs What is the Lab Name for Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) Lab Values? Partial Thromboplastin Time What is the Lab Abbreviation for Partial Thromboplastin Time? PTT What is Partial Thromboplastin Time in terms of Nursing Labs? Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)evaluates the function of factors I, II, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII. PTT represents the amount of time required for a fibrin clot to form. Monitors therapeutic ranges for peop...
Feb 11, 2023•3 min
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs What is the Lab Name for Oxygen Saturation (SaO2) Lab Values? Oxygen Saturation What is the Lab Abbreviation for Oxygen Saturation? SaO2 What is Oxygen Saturation in terms of Nursing Labs? Oxygen saturation (SaO2) is a measurement of the percentage of how much hemoglobin is saturated with oxygen. Oxygen is transported in the blood in two ways: oxygen dissolved in blood plasma (pO2) and oxygen bound to hemoglobin (SaO2). About 97% of...
Feb 04, 2023•3 min
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs What is the Lab Name for Osmolality Lab Values? Osmolality What is Osmolality in terms of Nursing Labs? Osmolality is a measure of the particles in solution. The size, shape, and charge of the particles do not impact the osmolality What is the Normal Range for Osmolality? 261 – 280 mOsm/kg What are the Indications for Osmolality? Monitor: Electrolyte balance Acid-Base balance Hydration Evaluate function of antidiuretic hormone. What...
Jan 28, 2023•5 min
Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs What is the Lab Name for Creatinine (Cr) Lab Values? Magnesium What is the Lab Abbreviation for Creatinine? Mg What is Creatinine in terms of Nursing Labs? Magnesium (Mg) is a cation necessary for protein synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, muscle contraction, ATP (adenosine triphosphate) use, nerve impulse conduction, and blood clotting. Magnesium affects the absorption of sodium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium. What is the Normal R...
Jan 21, 2023•4 min
