Lab Values Podcast by NURSING.com (Nursing Podcast, normal lab values for nurses for NCLEX®) by NURSING.com (NRSNG)

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**Lab Values Podcast by NURSING.com (Nursing Podcast, normal lab values for nurses for NCLEX®) by NURSING.com (NRSNG)**

By Jon Haws RN: Critical Care Nurse NCLEX Educator

Quick . . . is the aPTT within normal range? Are you sweating a bit? Nervous? Head over to NURSING.com/freebies for our free cheat sheet covering the 63 most important lab values for nurses. This podcast covers one essential lab value for episode including normal ranges, nursing considerations, and background information. Normal lab values are hard to keep straight. This show includes the most common including: Creatinine, WBC, BUN, aPTT, blood gasses, and more. Welcome to the Nursing family! For full disclaimer information visit nursing.com.

Latest Episodes:

Albumin Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Get a free nursing lab values cheat sheet at NURSING.com/63labs

What is the Lab Name for Albumin Lab Values?

Albumin

What is the Lab Abbreviation for Albumin?

alb

What is Albumin in terms of Nursing Labs?

Albumin is a transport protein in the blood. It helps maintain the oncotic pressure of the blood. Albumin levels will drop if synthesis is slowed, protein intake is inadequate, or there are increased losses. Albumin has a long half life, however, so levels are not a good indicator of acute illness.

What is the Normal Range for Albumin?

3.5 – 6.0 g/dL

What are the Indications for Albumin?

Evaluation of chronic illness
Liver disease
Nutritional status

What would cause Increased Levels of Albumin?

Dehydration
Hyper infusion
Albumin

What would cause Decreased Levels of Albumin?

Inadequate intake
Liver disease
Inflammation
Chronic disease
Losses (fistula, hemorrhage, kidney disease, burns)
Over hydration
Increased catabolism
Congestive heart failure

Triglycerides (TG) Lab Values Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

Normal

Indications

Evaluate for:
- Elevated triglycerides
- Risk for atherosclerotic heart disease and stroke

Description Triglycerides (TG) are required to provide energy during the metabolic process, excess triglycerides are stored in adipose tissue.

What would cause increased levels?

Myocardial Infarction (MI)
Alcoholism
Alcoholic cirrhosis
High carbohydrate diet
Anorexia nervosa
Cirrhosis
Hypertension (HTN)
Nephrotic Syndrome
Obesity
Renal failure
Pancreatitis
Stress

What would cause decreased levels?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Liver disease
Hyperthyroidism
Malnutrition
Malabsorption

Sodium (Na+) Lab Values Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Normal 135-145 mEq/L

Indications

Monitor:
Extracellular osmolality
Electrolyte imbalance

Description Sodium (Na+) is the most abundant cation in extracellular fluid. Sodium aids in osmotic pressure, renal retention and excretion of water, acid-base balance, regulation of other cations and anions in the body. Sodium plays a role in blood pressure regulation and stimulation of neuromuscular reactions. Sodium and water have a direct relationship; water follows salt.

What would cause increased levels?

Cushing Syndrome
Hyperaldosteronism
Dehydration
Burn injury
Azotemia (elevated nitrogen)
Lactic acidosis (LA)
Fever/excessive sweating
Excessive IV fluids containing sodium
Diabetes Insipidus
Osmotic diuresis

What would cause decreased levels?

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Syndrome of Inappropriate
Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
Cystic Fibrosis
Diuretic use
Metabolic acidosis
Addison's Disease
Nephrotic Syndrome
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Ascites
Excessive Antidiuretic
Hormone(ADH)
Liver failure

Potassium (K+) Lab Values Sep 20, 2023

Show notes

Normal 3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L

Indications

Evaluate:
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Cardiac arrhythmias
Monitor patients who are:
- Acidotic
- Receiving diuretic therapy

Description

Potassium (K+) is the most abundant intracellular cation and plays a vital role in the transmission of electrical impulses in cardiac and skeletal muscle. It plays a role in acid base equilibrium. In states of acidosis hydrogen will enter the cell which will force potassium out of the cell. A 0.1 decrease in pH will cause a 0.5 increase in K+.

What would cause increased levels?

Renal failure
Hypoaldosteronism
Addison's disease
Injury to tissues
Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
Ketoacidosis
Hyperventilation
Acidosis
Infection
Dehydration
Burns

What would cause decreased levels?

Hyperaldosteronism
Excess insulin
Alkalosis
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Cystic Fibrosis
Cushing Syndrome

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) Lab Values Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

Normal 25 - 35 seconds

Indications

Detection of coagulation disorders
Evaluate response to Heparin (PT for Coumadin)
Preoperative assessment

Description

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)evaluates the function of factors I, II, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII. PTT represents the amount of time required for a fibrin clot to form. Monitors therapeutic ranges for people taking Heparin.

What would cause increased levels?

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
Clotting Factor Deficiencies:
- Hypofibrinogenemia
- Von Willebrand Disease
- Hemophilia
Liver disease:
- Cirrhosis
Vitamin K deficiency
Polycythemia
Dialysis

What would cause decreased levels?

Oxygen Saturation (SaO2) Lab Values Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

Normal 95 - 100%

Indications

Determine respiratory status
Part of Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) testing

Description Oxygen saturation (SaO2) is a measurement of the percentage of how much hemoglobin is saturated with oxygen. Oxygen is transported in the blood in two ways: oxygen dissolved in blood plasma (pO2) and oxygen bound to hemoglobin (SaO2). About 97% of oxygen is bound to hemoglobin while 3% is dissolved in plasma. SaO2 and pO2 have direct relationships, if one is decreased so is the other. The relationship between oxygen saturation (SaO2) and partial pressure O2 (PaO2) is referred to as the oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) dissociation curve. SaO2 of about 90% is associated with PaO2 of about 60 mmHg.

What would cause increased levels?

Polycythemia
Increased inspired O2
Hyperventilation

What would cause decreased levels?

Anemia's
Hypoventilation
Bronchospasm
Mucus plugs
Atelectasis
Pneumothorax
Pulmonary edema
Adult respiratory distress syndrome

Osmolality Lab Values Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

Normal 261 – 280 mOsm/kg

Indications

Monitor:
- Electrolyte balance
- Acid-Base balance
- Hydration
Evaluate function of antidiuretic hormone.

Description Osmolality is a measure of the particles in solution. The size, shape, and charge of the particles do not impact the osmolality

What would cause increased levels?

Dehydration
Azotemia
Hypercalcemia
Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic State (HHNS)
Hypernatremia
Diabetes Insipidus
Hyperglycemia
Mannitol therapy
Uremia
Severe pyelonephritis
Shock
Ketosis

What would cause decreased levels?

Hyponatremia
Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
Overhydration

Magnesium (Mg) Lab Values Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

Normal 1.6 – 2.6 mg/dL

Indications

Monitor:
- Renal failure
- Chronic alcoholism
- Cardiac arrhythmias

Description Magnesium (Mg) is a cation necessary for protein synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, muscle contraction, ATP (adenosine triphosphate) use, nerve impulse conduction, and blood clotting. Magnesium affects the absorption of sodium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium.

What would cause increased levels?

Renal insufficiency
Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
Addison Disease
Dehydration
Hypothyroidism
Overuse of antacids
Tissue trauma

What would cause decreased levels?

Alcoholism
Diabetic acidosis
Renal failure:
- Glomerulonephritis
Hypercalcemia
Malnutrition
Malabsorption
Hypoparathyroidism
Diarrhea

Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Lab Values Sep 04, 2023

Show notes

Normal

Indications

Useful in determining risk of cardiovascular disease.

Description

Cholesterol is transported via lipoproteins. There are multiple types of lipoproteins and they each have slightly different functions: high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein, LDL, and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). LDL cholesterol is considered bad cholesterol because as it travels through the blood, it deposits cholesterol into the lining of blood vessels, causing atherosclerosis and an increase in cardiovascular disease.

What would cause increased levels?

Diet high in saturated fats
Nephrotic Syndrome
Alcoholism
Chronic liver disease:
- Hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
Hypothyroidism
Cushing's Syndrome

What would cause decreased levels?

Regular physical activity
Hyperthyroidism
Hypoproteinemia:
- Malabsorption
- Severe burns
- Malnutrition

Lactic Acid Lab Values Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

Normal 0.3 -2.6 mmol/L

Indications

Determine cause of acidosis
Evaluate tissue oxygenation

Description Lactate (Lactic Acid) is a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism. Normally, the tissues use aerobic metabolism to breakdown glucose for energy and the byproduct is CO2 and H2O which we excrete through our kidneys and exhalation. However, if the tissues are starved of oxygen (hypoxic), they use anaerobic metabolism. This can be compounded if the liver is also hypoxic causing the liver to be unable to clear the lactic acid.

What would cause increased levels?

Shock
Sepsis
Tissue ischemia
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Lactic acidosis
Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
Heart failure
Pulmonary edema
Strenuous exercise

What would cause decreased levels?

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