Top 20 Nursing Lab Values Cheat Sheet

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Nursing students and professionals often find themselves overwhelmed by the vast amount of information they need to retain, especially when it comes to laboratory values. These values are crucial in diagnosing and managing various medical conditions, making it essential to have a comprehensive cheat sheet for quick reference. Here's a rundown of the top 20 nursing lab values that you should know.

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A CBC is a fundamental lab test that measures different components of the blood, including red and white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and platelets.

• Normal Values:
  • Red Blood Cells (RBC): 4.32-5.72 million/μL (male), 3.90-5.03 million/μL (female)
  • White Blood Cells (WBC): 4,500-11,000/μL
  • Hemoglobin (Hb): 13.5-17.5 g/dL (male), 12-16 g/dL (female)
  • Hematocrit (Hct): 40-54% (male), 37-48% (female)
  • Platelets: 150,000-450,000/μL

What does a CBC measure?

A CBC measures the different components of the blood, including red and white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and platelets.

2. Electrolytes

Electrolytes are essential minerals that regulate various bodily functions, including nerve and muscle function.

• Normal Values:
  • Sodium (Na+): 136-145 mmol/L
  • Potassium (K+): 3.5-5.5 mmol/L
  • Chloride (Cl-): 96-106 mmol/L
  • Bicarbonate (HCO3-): 22-28 mmol/L

What do electrolytes measure?

Electrolytes measure the levels of essential minerals in the blood, including sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate.

3. Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

An ABG measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, as well as the pH level.

• Normal Values:
  • pH: 7.35-7.45
  • PaO2: 75-100 mmHg
  • PaCO2: 35-45 mmHg
  • SaO2: 95-100%

What does an ABG measure?

An ABG measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, as well as the pH level.

4. Lipid Profile

A lipid profile measures the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.

• Normal Values:
  • Total Cholesterol: <200 mg/dL
  • LDL (Bad) Cholesterol: <100 mg/dL
  • HDL (Good) Cholesterol: ≥60 mg/dL
  • Triglycerides: <150 mg/dL

What does a lipid profile measure?

A lipid profile measures the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.

5. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

A BUN measures the levels of waste products in the blood, including urea.

• Normal Values:
  • BUN: 6-24 mg/dL

What does a BUN measure?

A BUN measures the levels of waste products in the blood, including urea.

6. Creatinine

Creatinine measures the levels of waste products in the blood, including creatinine.

• Normal Values:
  • Creatinine: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL (male), 0.5-1.1 mg/dL (female)

What does creatinine measure?

Creatinine measures the levels of waste products in the blood, including creatinine.

7. Glucose

Glucose measures the levels of sugar in the blood.

• Normal Values:
  • Fasting Glucose: 70-99 mg/dL
  • Postprandial Glucose: <140 mg/dL

What does glucose measure?

Glucose measures the levels of sugar in the blood.

8. Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

LFTs measure the levels of liver enzymes in the blood.

• Normal Values:
  • Alanine Transaminase (ALT): 0-40 U/L
  • Aspartate Transaminase (AST): 0-40 U/L
  • Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): 30-120 U/L

What do LFTs measure?

LFTs measure the levels of liver enzymes in the blood.

9. Coagulation Studies

Coagulation studies measure the blood's ability to clot.

• Normal Values:
  • Prothrombin Time (PT): 9.4-11.7 seconds
  • International Normalized Ratio (INR): 0.9-1.1
  • Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT): 25-35 seconds

What do coagulation studies measure?

Coagulation studies measure the blood's ability to clot.

10. Troponin

Troponin measures the levels of cardiac enzymes in the blood.

• Normal Values:
  • Troponin I: 0-0.04 ng/mL
  • Troponin T: 0-0.01 ng/mL

What does troponin measure?

Troponin measures the levels of cardiac enzymes in the blood.

11. Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)

BNP measures the levels of BNP in the blood, which is an indicator of heart failure.

• Normal Values:
  • BNP: <100 pg/mL

What does BNP measure?

BNP measures the levels of BNP in the blood, which is an indicator of heart failure.

12. D-Dimer

D-Dimer measures the levels of D-Dimer in the blood, which is an indicator of blood clotting.

• Normal Values:
  • D-Dimer: <500 ng/mL

What does D-Dimer measure?

D-Dimer measures the levels of D-Dimer in the blood, which is an indicator of blood clotting.

13. C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

CRP measures the levels of CRP in the blood, which is an indicator of inflammation.

• Normal Values:
  • CRP: <10 mg/L

What does CRP measure?

CRP measures the levels of CRP in the blood, which is an indicator of inflammation.

14. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

ESR measures the rate at which red blood cells settle in the blood.

• Normal Values:
  • ESR: 0-20 mm/hr

What does ESR measure?

ESR measures the rate at which red blood cells settle in the blood.

15. Creatine Kinase (CK)

CK measures the levels of CK in the blood, which is an indicator of muscle damage.

• Normal Values:
  • CK: 0-200 U/L

What does CK measure?

CK measures the levels of CK in the blood, which is an indicator of muscle damage.

16. Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)

LDH measures the levels of LDH in the blood, which is an indicator of tissue damage.

• Normal Values:
  • LDH: 0-200 U/L

What does LDH measure?

LDH measures the levels of LDH in the blood, which is an indicator of tissue damage.

17. Bilirubin

Bilirubin measures the levels of bilirubin in the blood, which is an indicator of liver function.

• Normal Values:
  • Total Bilirubin: 0.3-1.2 mg/dL
  • Direct Bilirubin: 0-0.3 mg/dL

What does bilirubin measure?

Bilirubin measures the levels of bilirubin in the blood, which is an indicator of liver function.

18. Ammonia

Ammonia measures the levels of ammonia in the blood, which is an indicator of liver function.

• Normal Values:
  • Ammonia: 10-80 μg/dL

What does ammonia measure?

Ammonia measures the levels of ammonia in the blood, which is an indicator of liver function.

19. Phosphorus

Phosphorus measures the levels of phosphorus in the blood, which is an indicator of kidney function.

• Normal Values:
  • Phosphorus: 2.5-4.5 mg/dL

What does phosphorus measure?

Phosphorus measures the levels of phosphorus in the blood, which is an indicator of kidney function.

20. Uric Acid

Uric acid measures the levels of uric acid in the blood, which is an indicator of kidney function.

• Normal Values:
  • Uric Acid: 3.5-7.2 mg/dL

What does uric acid measure?

Uric acid measures the levels of uric acid in the blood, which is an indicator of kidney function.

Now that you've made it through this comprehensive guide to nursing lab values, you should have a solid foundation in understanding the different types of lab tests and their normal values. Remember to always reference your lab results to the specific lab's normal values, as these can vary between labs.