What do abnormal lab values indicate?
Positive or abnormal, which means the disease or substance was found. Inconclusive or uncertain, which means there wasn’t enough information in the results to diagnose or rule out a disease. If you get an inconclusive result, you will probably get more tests.
Why are lab values important in nursing?
Diagnostic lab tests help determine a patient’s condition, therefore it is important for nurses to be knowledgeable about the different tests and their values in order to make informed clinical decisions.
What lab values do nurses need to know?
The Essential List of Lab Values
- pH: 7.35-7.45.
- PaCO2: 35-45 mmHg (always indicates a respiratory issue)
- HCO3: 22-26 mEq/L (always indicates a metabolic issue)
- PaO2: 80-100 mmHg.
- SaO2: 95-100%
What are pertinent lab values?
Laboratory Reference Ranges in Healthy Adults
- Ammonia: 15-50 µmol/L.
- Ceruloplasmin: 15-60 mg/dL.
- Chloride: 95-105 mmol/L.
- Copper: 70-150 µg/dL.
- Creatinine: 0.8-1.3 mg/dL.
- Blood urea nitrogen: 8-21 mg/dL.
- Ferritin: 12-300 ng/mL (men), 12-150 ng/mL (women)
- Glucose: 65-110 mg/dL.
What does it mean when your CBC is abnormal?
Abnormal red blood cell, hemoglobin, or hematocrit levels may indicate anemia, iron deficiency, or heart disease. Low white cell count may indicate an autoimmune disorder, bone marrow disorder, or cancer. High white cell count may indicate an infection or reaction to medication.
Which lab values indicate infection?
An increased white blood cell (WBC) count (or in some cases a decreased WBC count) may indicate infection.
What are the normal lab values for neutrophils?
Understanding the results
| Test | Adult normal cell count | High levels (leukocytosis and neutrophilia) |
|---|---|---|
| white blood cells (WBC) | 4,300-10,000 (4.3-10.0) white blood cells/mcL | >12,000 white blood cells/mcL |
| neutrophils (ANC) | 1,500-8,000 (1.5-8.0) neutrophils/mcL | >8,000 neutrophils/mcL |
Why are laboratory values so intimidating for nurses?
Laboratory Values and Interpretation – A Nurse’s Ultimate Guide. Getting familiar with and interpreting laboratory values can be intimidating, particularly to new nurses. There’s always the fear of messing things up and not being able to meet the patients’ health needs.
Are there any lab values that are within normal range?
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. Please note that laboratory values may vary from agency to agency.
How are laboratory values used to diagnose disease?
Introduction Using laboratory values can be a key piece of assessment to determine what is occurring within the body of a patient. There are numerous laboratory tests that can be done. The most common tests include chemistry panels, hematology (such as the complete blood count), and blood gases.
Are there any nursing interventions for abnormal HGB?
Count of the number of circulation RBC’s in 1 mm of peripheral venous blood, part of the complete blood count, produced by erythroid elements in the bone marrow, life of RBC 120 days. Apply pressure to venipuncture sites for at least 5 mins. For the Doctor to treat the disease process. Treatment: Treat the cause of the anemia. B1, Fe, Folic Acid