What lab values should nurses know?
Must-Know Nursing Lab Values
- pH: 7.35 – 7.45.
- PaCO2: 35-45.
- HCO3: 22-26.
- BUN: 5-10.
- Cholesterol: <200.
- Glucose: 70-100.
- HCT: F:36-46 M42-53.
- HgB :F:12 – 15 M:14 – 17.
Do nurses need to know lab values?
When you take the NCLEX exam there is a high probability you will have some type of lab value question. WHY? Because almost every patient that walks through the doors of a hospital will have blood work drawn, and as the nurse you will need to know about the common blood tests ordered and their normal lab value ranges.
What are the normal lab values?
Normal Laboratory Values
| Laboratory Test | Normal Range in US Units | Normal Range in SI Units |
|---|---|---|
| High | 160-189 mg/dL | 4.14 – 4.89 mmol/L |
| Very High | >190 mg/dL | >4.91 mmol/L |
| Cholesterol, HDL | >60 mg/dL | >1.55 mmol/L |
| Moderate | 40-60 mg/dL | 1.03-1.55 mmol/L |
What do lab values indicate?
Lab values are used to determine a patient’s overall health and well-being. There are many factors that can affect a patient’s result and lab values but some of the most common factors are gender, age, race, the medicines taken, and the presense of any underlying condition(s).
What lab values are most important?
So, here are four important lab tests and numbers to know.
- The number and size of red blood cells (these cells carry oxygen)
- The number of white blood cells (these cells help fight infection)
- Total amount of hemoglobin and amount per red blood cell (this protein carries oxygen in red blood cells)
Does NCLEX show lab values?
NCLEX will not give you values that are within normal range. Questions will usually include critical lab values and it’s a matter of identifying if it’s within normal range or not.
Can RNS interpret labs?
Yes, you are allowed to disclose laboratory values to patients. As a licensed nurse, you should have a basic understanding of common lab values and what they mean, and keeping the patient informed of their health status is a basic function of nursing.
What are normal lab values for hemoglobin?
The healthy range for hemoglobin is: For men, 13.2 to 16.6 grams per deciliter. For women, 11.6 to 15 grams per deciliter.
What is the easiest way to remember lab values?
The Trick: Use the letters “od” in sodium to remember “odd” numbers. Then combine the first 3 odd numbers which are 1, 3, and 5. This will give you 135 which is the lower end of normal.