What lab values should nurses know?
What lab values should nurses know?
Identifying Laboratory Values
- Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2): 75 – 100 mmHg.
- Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2): 38 – 42 mmHg.
- Arterial blood pH: 7.38 – 7.42.
- Oxygen saturation (SaO2): 94 – 100%
- Bicarbonate – (HCO3): 22 – 28 mEq/L.
Can registered nurses interpret lab results?
Many nurses do not recognize the importance of lab tests because they feel that the doctor is responsible for interpreting the tests. This is not entirely true. The nurse must also have basic knowledge of lab tests in order to recognize trends that affect patients and in order to develop a good nursing care plan.
What are labs nursing?
Labs allow nursing students to apply their skills in a controlled environment prior to working with actual patients. Nursing students interact with fellow medical professionals in order to assess, evaluate, and react accordingly to the scenarios that they have been presented with.
Why is it important for nurses to assess lab values?
To be a nurse is to know lab values. Nearly every single shift you’ll have to note, record, and assess a whole lot of data generated by your patients. This information is crucial to their health and care, and knowing how to record, manage, and interpret this data will be a big part of your career.
What is the normal lab value for WBC?
How to find normal values
| Test | Units* | Normal values# |
|---|---|---|
| WBC (white blood cells) | x 1000/mm3 | 5–10 |
| RBC (red blood cells) | x 1,000,000/mm3 | 4.2–6.1 |
| Hgb (hemoglobin) | g/dL | 12–18 |
| Hct (hematocrit) | % | 37–52 |
Are normal lab values provided on NCLEX?
About the NCLEX and lab values Before getting in to those specifics, though, it’s important to know that lab value questions on the NCLEX will not ask merely for normal ranges of any specific labs.
How do you communicate with lab results?
We offer 10 recommendations toward this goal: (1) whenever possible, provide a clear takeaway message for each result. (2) Signal whether differences are meaningful or not. (3) When feasible, provide thresholds for concern and action. (4) Individualize the frame of reference by allowing custom reference ranges.
How do you remember calcium lab values?
The Trick: When you think of calcium, think of milk. A gallon of milk weighs about 8.5 pounds. Then think of 2% milk to help you remember to add 2 to the 8.5. This will give you the normal range for calcium of 8.5-10.5 mg/dL.
What are normal lab values for hemoglobin?
The normal range for hemoglobin is: For men, 13.5 to 17.5 grams per deciliter. For women, 12.0 to 15.5 grams per deciliter.
How do you remember lab values for NCLEX?
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. Simply add 10, and this will give you the normal range of 135-145 mEq/L.
What is a normal lab value?
The normal number of WBCs in the blood is 4,500-10,000 white blood cells per microliter (mcL). Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different labs. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens. Talk to your doctor about your test results.
What do lab values mean?
Normal lab values are a range of values that 95% of a healthy population falls into. There are some exceptions to this. For example, for markers of heart damage called troponins , 99% of the healthy population have values that fall within the normal range [1].
What is the normal range for labs?
The normal range is 15 to 45 µ/dL (11 to 32 µmol/L). Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different samples.
