LABS
NORMAL RANGE
Na+
135 - 145
Sodium Swells the body
K+
3.5 - 5.0
Potassium Pumps Heart
Cl-
97 - 107
Ca
9.0 - 10.5
Calcium Contracts Muscles
Mg+
1.3 - 2.1
Mag. Mellows Muscles
Albumin
3.5 - 5.0
Liver
Creatinine
Over 1.3
Bad Kidney
BUN
10 - 20
Kidney
Glucose
70 - 110
Hypogly = Brain Die
WBC
5,000 - 10,000
High = Infection
RBC
(M) 4.7 - 6.1 (F) 4.2 - 5.4 Low = Anemia
Hgb
(M) 14 - 18 (F) 12 - 16
Hct
(M) 42 - 52 (F) 37 - 47
PLTS
150k - 400k
PT
11 - 12.5
aPTT
30 - 40
INR
0.9 - 1.2
Below 7 = Blood Trans
AsaParin, CloPidogrel
Therapeutic Range while on Anticoags
aPTT
46 - 70
INR
2-3
* 3 x MAX range
Lab Values
Memory Trick
The kidneys filter out HUC, since the
kidneys sort of look like a pirate hook.
H+
U
C
Hydrogen Ions = High Acid
Are very acidic & too much can push the body into Acidosis.
Renal failure & infection causes a back up of H+ Ions
pH BELOW 7.35
Urea
H+
H+
H+
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)
10 - 20 Max
Byproduct of protein waste. Think of a protein bar
wrapper, it is trash that the body tosses out.
This trash comes in the form of ammonia, which
the liver converts into UREA, then it’s pushed into
blood & excreted by the kidneys. Hence the name
blood UREA nitrogen.
Creatinine
> 1.3
Creatinine = Critical Kidney Lab!
Key Numbers:
Over 1.3 = Bad Kidney
Urine Output 30 ml/hr or Less = Kidney distress
BUN/Creatinine
Higher creatinine levels in the blood = Higher renal impairment.
Creatinine is a waste product produced by the muscles coming
from the normal everyday wear & tear.
Common NCLEX Questions
List of clients MOST at risk for
Metabolic Acidosis? Select all that
apply.
1. Renal failure
2. Pyelonephritis
3. Patient waiting for hemodialysis
4. Hyperventilation related to anxiety
attack
5.Child with diarrhea x 2 days
Client with an infected toe due to
diabetes is scheduled for cardiac
catheterization with contrast, which
lab value should the nurse report to
1. Blood Urea Nitrogen level of 19
2. Blood glucose of 155
3. Creatinine level of 1.9
4. White blood cell count of 14,500