Lab Values
Below you will find a representation of many common lab values that will be discussed in your coursework.
Please note that lab values may differ slightly depending on the facility or textbook. This does not represent
all lab values that you will be expected to have working knowledge of, so please consult with your instructor
for any other additional lab values that you feel may be pertinent to your patients’ condition.
Serum Electrolytes
Sodium (Na+): 136 to 145 mEq/L
Potassium (K+): 3.5 to 5 mEq/L
Calcium Total (Ca++): 9 to 10.5 mg/dL
Magnesium (Mg++): 1.3 to 2.1 mEq/L
Phosphorous (PO4): 3 to 4.5 mg/dL
Chloride (Cl): 98 to 106 mEq/L
Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)
pH: 7.35 to 7.45
PaCO2: 35 to 45 mm Hg
PaO2: 80 to 100 mm Hg
HCO3 (Bicarbonate): 22 to 26 mEq/L
CBC
Males 4.7 to 6.1 million/uL
Females 4.2 to 5.4 million/uL
Hemoglobin: Males 14 to 18 g/dL
Females 12 to 16 g/dL
Hematocrit: Males 42% to 52%
Females 27% to 47%
RBCs:
White Blood Cells (WBCs): 5,000 to 10,000 mm3 (5 to 10)
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): Less than 20mm/hr.
Blood Lipid Levels
Total Serum Cholesterol: <200 mg/dL
Low-Density Lipids (LDL): < 130 g/dL
High-Density Lipids (HDL):
Males: >45 mg/dL
Females: >55mg/dL
Triglycerides:
Males: 40-160mg/dL
Females 35-135mg/dL
Anticoagulant Therapy (Coagulation times)
INR: 0.8 to 1.1 (therapeutic 2 to 3)
PT: 11 to 12.5 seconds (therapeutic 1.5 to 2 times the normal)
Partial Thromboplastin time (aPTT): 30 to 40 seconds (therapeutic 1.5 to 2 times normal)
Platelets: 150,000 to 400,000/mm3 (150-400)
Liver Function Tests
Albumin: 3.5 to 5 g/dL
Ammonia: 15 to 45 mcg/dL
Total bilirubin: 0.1 to 1.0 mg/dL
Total Protein: 6 to 8 g/dL
AST: 0-35 U/L
ALT: 4-36 U/L
Cardiac Markers
CK-MB: <0.4 to 0.6
CK:
Male: 55-170 U/L
Female: 30-135 U/L
Triglycerides: Male: 40-460 mg/dL
Female: 35-135 mg/dL
D-Dimer: <250ng/mL
Troponin T: <0.1 ng/mL
Urinalysis
Specific Gravity: 1.005 to 1.030
Protein: 0-8 mg/dL
Glucose: less than 0.5g/day
Ketones: none
pH 4.6 to 8
WBC: Males: 0 to 3
Females: 0 to 5
Renal Function
Serum Creatinine: Males: 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL
Females: 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): Males 90-139 mL/min
Females 80-125mL/min
BUN: 10 to 20 mg/dL
Blood Glucose Levels
Glucose (fasting): 70 to 105 mg/dL
HbA1c: 4 to 6.5% (greater than 8% = poor diabetes control)
Therapeutic Levels
Aminophylline: 10 to 20 mcg/mL
Carbamazepine: 5 to 12 mcg/mL
Digoxin: 0.8 to 2 ng/mL
Gentamycin: 0.5 to 0.8ng/mL
Lithium: 0.4 to 1.4 mEq/L
Lidocaine: 1.5 to 5 mcg/mL
Procainamide: 4 to 8 mcg/mL
Phenobarbital: 10 to 40 mcg/mL
Phenytoin: 10 to 20 mcg/mL
Theophylline: 10 to 20 mcg/mL
Tylenol: 10 to 20 mcg/mL
Salicylate: 100 to 250 mcg/mL
Magnesium Sulfate: 4 to 8 mg/dL
Quinidine: 2 to 5 mcg/dL
Tobramycin: 5 to 10 mcg/mL
References
Axley, L., Blanks, A., Bryan, B., Camp, N., Cardi, D., DeLong, ... Assessment Technologies
Institute (Contributors). (2019). The Comprehensive NCLEX-RN Review (19th ed).
Assessment Technologies Institute.