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Nursing Lab Values Quick Study Academic: A Comprehensive Guide to Interpretation and Management

Isaias Blair

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In the dynamic field of nursing, the ability to interpret and manage laboratory values is crucial for providing safe and effective patient care. This comprehensive guide serves as an academic resource for nurses, students, and healthcare professionals, offering a thorough understanding of the most common nursing lab values and their clinical implications.

Nursing: Lab Values (Quick Study Academic)

by Sam Sorbo

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1201 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	44 pages

Essential Lab Value Categories

Hematology: Red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other blood components
Chemistry: Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate),renal function (urea, creatinine),liver function (ALT, AST, bilirubin)
Coagulation: Prothrombin time (PT),partial thromboplastin time (PTT),international normalized ratio (INR)
Urinalysis: Specific gravity, pH, protein, glucose, ketones

Hematology

Test	Reference Range	Clinical Significance
Hemoglobin	Men: 13-18 g/dL Women: 12-16 g/dL	Anemia if below normal, polycythemia if above normal
Hematocrit	Men: 36-52% Women: 32-48%	Anemia if below normal, polycythemia if above normal
Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count	4.5-5.9 million/μL	Anemia if below normal, polycythemia if above normal
White Blood Cell (WBC) Count	4,000-11,000/μL	Infection if elevated, neutropenia if decreased
Platelet Count	150,000-450,000/μL	Thrombocytopenia if below normal, thrombocytosis if above normal

Chemistry

Test	Reference Range	Clinical Significance
Sodium	135-145 mEq/L	Hyponatremia if below normal, hypernatremia if above normal
Potassium	3.5-5.0 mEq/L	Hypokalemia if below normal, hyperkalemia if above normal
Chloride	98-107 mEq/L	Hypochloremia if below normal, hyperchloremia if above normal
Bicarbonate	22-29 mEq/L	Metabolic acidosis if below normal, metabolic alkalosis if above normal
Urea Nitrogen (BUN)	7-20 mg/dL	Elevated in renal failure
Creatinine	0.6-1.2 mg/dL	Elevated in renal failure
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)	0-40 U/L	Elevated in liver disease
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)	0-35 U/L	Elevated in liver disease
Total Bilirubin	0.1-1.2 mg/dL	Elevated in liver disease

Coagulation

Test	Reference Range	Clinical Significance
Prothrombin Time (PT)	11-13 seconds	Elevated in coagulation disorders
Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)	25-35 seconds	Elevated in coagulation disorders
International Normalized Ratio (INR)	0.8-1.2	Used to monitor anticoagulant therapy

Urinalysis

Test	Reference Range	Clinical Significance
Specific Gravity	1.003-1.030	Low in diabetes insipidus, high in dehydration
pH	4.5-8.0	Acidic in acidosis, alkaline in alkalosis
Protein	Negative	Proteinuria if positive, indicating kidney damage
Glucose	Negative	Glycosuria if positive, indicating diabetes mellitus
Ketones	Negative	Ketones present if positive, indicating high blood sugar

Interpreting Lab Values

When interpreting lab values, consider factors such as the patient's age, sex, race, and medical history. Compare results to reference ranges, but also consider individual patient variations.

Abnormal lab values may indicate a specific disease or condition, but they can also be affected by factors such as medications, diet, and exercise. It is important to correlate lab results with the patient's clinical presentation and physical examination findings.

Managing Abnormal Lab Values

Once abnormal lab values are identified, the nurse's role is to:

Assess the patient for signs and symptoms of the underlying condition
Consult with the healthcare provider to determine if further testing is necessary
Educate the patient about the abnormal values and any necessary lifestyle modifications or treatment options
Monitor the patient for improvement or worsening of symptoms
Adjust patient management as needed based on changes in lab values or patient condition

The interpretation and management of nursing lab values are essential to provide safe and effective patient care. By understanding the common lab values and their clinical significance, nurses can identify potential health problems early on and develop appropriate interventions to optimize patient outcomes.

This comprehensive guide serves as a valuable resource for nurses, students, and healthcare professionals alike, empowering them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complex world of laboratory diagnostics and patient management.

Nursing: Lab Values (Quick Study Academic)

by Sam Sorbo

4.7 out of 5