Lab Values (NCLEX)

Remember: Knowing the Lab Values by heart can lead to success in the NCLEX Exam.

Electrolytes (Know this by heart)

Sodium (135-145 meq/L)
Potassium (3.5- 5 meq/L)
Calcium (8.6- 10 mg/dL)
Magnesium (1.6- 2.6 mg/dL)

Blood Values

RBC- (4.5- 5.0 Million)
WBC- (5,000- 10,000)
Platelets (200,000- 400,000)
Hgb (12- 18 gms)
Hct- (42% – 50%)

ABG Values

HCO3 (24- 26)
CO2 (35-45)
PaO2 (80%- 100)
SaO2 ( >95%)

Chemistry Values

Glucose (70- 110 mg/dL)
BUN ( 7-22 mg/dl)
Serum Creatinine (0.6- 1.35 mg/dl)
Specific Gravity (1.010- 1.030)
Uric Acid (3.5- 7.5)

Back to the electrolytes.

There are different organs and systems that help regulate the electrolytes within our body system. These regulators includes the (kidneys, the endocrine system and the GI System).

Sodium

Hyponatremia (less than 135 meq/L)
– an increase in sodium excretion, causing headache, nausea, increased renal output,

Hypernatremia
– patient would be thirsty, decreased urinary output and dry and flushed skin.

Pottasium

Hypokalemia:
– Can be caused by excessive use of med. such as diuretic.
Symptoms for hypokalemia would be: (confusion, nausea and vomiting, weak pulse)
Lethargy, EKG would show a depressed ST segment and inverted T wave.

Hyperkalemia:

Can be due to Addison’s Disease
Can be due to pottasium sparing diuretics

Remember for NCLEX: When giving PO potassium, give with juice to help with bitter taste.

– Always use a controller when giving potassium, it can cause arrythmias.

Sodium:

Hyponatremia:

can be caused by diuretics, renal disease, HYPERGLYCEMIA, CHF.
Symptoms includes rapid pulse, muscle weaknes, dry skin, headaches.

Hypernatremia

Can be due to Cushing’s Syndrome
Symptoms include diminished cardiac output.

Chloride

– coincides with sodium

Calcium

I came up with some words for the Electrolytes. When I think of…
Sodium I think of salt in the ocean..135-145..because it is numerous.
-Potassium-I think of the POPO..doing 3-5 yrs..or 3.5-5
-Calcium-I think of a cow and milk–you need 8-10 glasses to keep you strong.
Magnesium-I think of magnum PI-it took him 1-2 seconds to figure things out.
Other..
WBC-5,000-10,00 dollars Would be nice (this alaso pertains to correct wbc, or normal)
-RBC-you need 4-5 million or your dead
-Platletes- I think of dinner plates-200 is too little-400 is alot and you are jammed up (free bleeder under 200 and clotting over 400)
How I remeber HCG-HemoglobinI think of globin as round like a ball 12-18 balls are nice, HCT-Hematicrit-I think of crit as % 42-50.Critical. I cant come up with a good analagy for that one.

ABG-PA02 vs SA02- PA-as in Patient % oxygen or 02.
SA-I think od A as in Air-the Air that breathed in needs to be above 95%.
HC02- I think of-it gets hot in a room with 24-25 people.
C02-I think of carbon atom you need 35-45 to be a carbon.

ACID/BASE-ROME- RESPIRATORY opposite and Metabolic equal.
7.35-7.45 Normal PH
Acid- less than 7.35-7.45 below
Alkaloids-if above
Resp Acidosis= Below 7.4 PH but Above 45 CO2
Resp Alkolosis= Above 7.4 PH but below 34 on c02
Metabolic Acid-Below 7.4 ph and below 24 Hc02
Met alk-Above 7.4 ph and above 26 Hc03

I also dram a scale or line. I write out my PH in the middle, then draw a line. I put acid on the left side for below and alkaloids on the right for above..then I write out my other values. for low and high and put them on either the left for low or the right for high.

Permalink # Lily said

Thank you..good job!!

I LAO Made up an analogy to the Chemistry Values

GLUCOSE (70- 110 MG/DL)-I think of sugar..it has 70-110 spoons of sugar. 70 is too little, 110 is too much.
BUN ( 7-22 MG/DL) I think of 7-22 buns that come in a pack for hotdogs.
SERUM CREATININE (0.6- 1.35 MG/DL)-Create..it took god 0.6 to 1.35 seconds to make the world.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY (1.010- 1.030)–think of gravity it is a strong force.1010-1030 force.
URIC ACID (3.5- 7.5) I think of acid–it will burn you up in 3-7 seconds.
Its silly I know. But it helps. I encourage everyone to come up with a saying that helps them to remember.

I remember sodium in the body like this: Sodium follows water, and glucose makes you pee.
-When your dehydrated..you have less water and your osmolity is think. Everything looks condensed.
-When you are over hydrated..everything is thinned out. Edema can result, puts pressure on your body.