Lab Values Podcast by NURSING.com (Nursing Podcast, normal lab values for nurses for NCLEX®) by NURSING.com (NRSNG)

Overview Red blood cells Normal Value Range Patho Special considerations Too High: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments Too Low: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments Nursing Points General Normal range Measured in millions Normal values Males 4.5-5.5 x106/mcL Females 4-4.9×106/mcL Pathophysiology Red Blood Cell generation Formed in bone marrow Stimulated by kidneys by erythropoietin Function AKA Erythrocytes Reti...

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 Th...

Overview Platelets Normal Value Range Pathophysiology Special considerations Elevated platelet levels Decreased platelet levels Nursing Points General Normal value ranges 100,000 – 450,000/mcL Also known as – Thrombocytes Pathophysiology Formed from Megakaryocyte Formed from bone marrow Produces 1000-3000 platelets Injury occurs at site Collagen releases activators Thrombocytes activate "sticky fi...

Objective: Determine the significance and clinical use of  Lipase in clinical practice   Lab Test Name: Lipase   Description: Lipase Measurement of lipase in the blood Used to diagnose pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer An enzyme produced by the pancreas Aids in breakdown of fats Released into the bloodstream as a result of damage to the pancreas   Indications: Diagnose: Pancreatitis Severe upper...

Objective: Determine the significance and clinical use of iron levels in clinical practice   Lab Test Name: Iron – Fe   Description: Measures the amount of Fe in the bloodstream.  Evaluates:  Sufficient Fe level  oxygen transport  proper hemoglobin & RBC production Iron (Fe) is an element that is an important component of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Iron aids hemoglobin's transport of oxygen fr...

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 O...

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...

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...

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 Intrav...

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) C...

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...

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 Clearanc...

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 60 mg/dL Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Contributes to plaque buildup Goal

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 w...

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 val...

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 albu...

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...

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 postmeno...

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  0...

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...

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...

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...

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 C...

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 d...

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...