Laboratory Values
*This list is based on current values listed by ATI and is likely not comprehensive. But it is a good place to
start. Add on as you go through nursing school.
*Values listed are blood values, unless otherwise specified. These are adult values.
1. Electrolytes and Glucose
Electrolyte
Sodium, Na+
Normal range
136-145 mEq/L
Potassium, K+
Chloride, Cl-
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
98-106 mEq/L
Calcium, Ca2+
9-10.5 mg/dL
Phosphorous, P
Magnesium, Mg2+
2.5-4.5 mg/dL
1.3-2.1 mg/dL
Glucose measures
Fasting blood glucose
<100 mg/dL
Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
5-7%
2. Hematology
Complete blood count (CBC)
Component
RBCs (erythrocytes)
Hct (hematocrit)
Hb (hemoglobin)
MCH (mean
corpuscular Hb)
MCV (mean
corpuscular volume)
Normal range
Females: 4.2-5.4 x 106 cells/uL
Males: 4.7-6.1 x 106 cells/uL
Females: 37-47% Males:
42-52%
Females: 12-16 g/dL Males:
14-18 g/dL
27-31 pg/cell
80-95 fL
Platelets
150,000-400,000 cells/mm3
WBCs (leukocytes)
5,000-10,000 cells/mm3
Iron (not part of CBC)
Females: 60-160 mcg/dL
Males: 80-180 mcg/dL
Interpretation of findings
High: erythrocytosis, polycythemia, severe
dehydration
Low: anemia, hemorrhage, renal disease
High: erythrocytosis, COPD, severe dehydration
Low: anemia, hemorrhage, renal disease
High: erythrocytosis, COPD, severe dehydration
Low: anemia, hemorrhage, renal disease
High: megaloblastic anemia Low:
iron deficiency anemia
High: megaloblastic anemia Low:
iron deficiency anemia
High: malignancy, polycythemia, rheumatoid
arthritis
Low: splenomegaly, hemorrhage, leukemia
High: infection, inflammation
Low: immunosuppression, autoimmune disease
High: liver disorder, lead toxicity
Low: iron deficiency anemia, chronic blood loss
1
What is a CBC? The complete blood count (CBC) is a group of tests that evaluate the cells that circulate in
blood, including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets (PLTs). The CBC detect a
variety of diseases and conditions, such as infections, anemia and leukemia.
Laboratory measure
PTT (prothrombin time)
PT (partial thromboplastin
time)
INR
Clotting and Inflammation
Normal range
Interpretation of findings
Increased: vitamin K deficiency, DIC, liver
30-40 seconds
disease, heparin therapy Decreased:
extensive cancer
11-12.5 seconds
Same as PTT
0.78-1.1
Elevated: warfarin therapy
Positive: DIC, malignancy
Negative: rule out PE or DVT
High: acute inflammation/infection, heart disease
D-dimer
<0.4 mcg/dL
Fibrinogen
200-400 mg/dL
3. Respiratory
Arterial blood gas (ABG). An arterial blood gas (ABG) sample reports the status of oxygenation and acid‑base
balance of the blood. (often done by respiratory therapist) An ABG measures the following:
• pH: amount of free hydrogen ions in the arterial blood (H+)
• PaO2: partial pressure of oxygen
• PaCO2: partial pressure of carbon dioxide
• HCO3¯ : concentration of bicarbonate in arterial blood
Normal Values
7.35 – 7.45
pH
PO
80-100 mmHg
2
PCO
2
35 – 45 mmHg
HCO
3
21-28 mEq/L
4. Cardiovascular
Lipids
Type
Total cholesterol
LDL
Desired Value
<200 mg/dL
<130 mg/dL
Purpose
Screening for heart disease
‘bad cholesterol’ – transports cholesterol from cells to liver
2
Triglycerides
HDL
Females: 35-135 mg/dL
Males: 40-160 mg/dL
Females: >55 mg/dL
Males: >45 mg/dL
Higher levels associated with increased heart disease risk
‘good’ cholesterol – protects from heart disease by
transporting cholesterol from cells to liver
Cardiac enzymes
Type
Expected range (normal)
CK MB
30-170 units/L
Troponin T
<0.1 ng/mL
Timing after myocardial injury
First detected 3-6 hours after injury. Remains elevated 2-3
days
First detected 2-3 hours after injury. Remains elevated
1014 days
5. Gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary
Blood test
Liver enzymes
Normal range
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
Other liver tests
0-35 units/L
4-36 units/L
30-120 units/L
Total bilirubin
0.3-1 mg/dL
Direct (conjugated) bilirubin
Indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin
Albumin
Total protein (albumin + globulin)
Ammonia
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
0.1-0.3 mg/dL
0.2-0.8 mg/dL
3.5-5 g/dL
6 – 8.3 g/dL
10-80 mcg/dL
140 – 280 U/L
Interpretation of findings
Elevated in hepatitis or cirrhosis
Same as above
Elevated with liver damage
Elevated with altered liver function, bile duct
obstruction
Same as above
Same as above
Decreased in liver disease
Decreased in liver disease
Elevated in liver disease
Elevated in tissue damage from anemia, liver
disease, lung disease, infections
Pancreatic enzymes
Amylase
Lipase
30-220 units/L
0-160 units/L
Elevated in pancreatitis
Same as above
6. Renal
Measure
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Creatinine (Cr)
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
Urinalysis
Normal Range
8-20 mg/dL
0.6-1.2 mg/dL
>90 ml/min
Interpretation of Findings
High: renal impairment, dehydration
High: renal impairment
Low: decreased renal function
Urinary output
Specific gravity
Normal urine pH
30 ml/hr
1.005-1.030
4.5 – 8.0
Low: renal injury or impairment
High: dehydration
Usual values are 6.0 – 7.5
3
7. MIscellanous
Blood test
Ethanol
Normal range
< 50 mg/dL or
0.05%
Interpretation of findings
Individual is not considered intoxicated
0.08% ethanol level – alcohol limit for drivers
4