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:

Magnesium Jan 21, 2023

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What is the Lab Name for Creatinine (Cr) Lab Values?

Magnesium

What is the Lab Abbreviation for Creatinine?

What is Creatinine in terms of Nursing Labs?

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 is the Normal Range for Magnesium?

1.6 - 2.6mg/dL

What are the Indications for Magnesium?

Monitor:
- Renal failure
- Chronic alcoholism
- Cardiac arrhythmias

What would cause Increased Levels of Magnesium?

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

What would cause Decreased Levels of Magnesium?

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

Low Density Lipoprotein Jan 14, 2023

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What is the Lab Name for Low Density Lipoprotein Lab Values?

Low Density Lipoprotein

What is the Lab Abbreviation for Low Density Lipoprotein?

LDL

What is Low Density Lipoprotein in terms of Nursing Labs?

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, 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 is the Normal Range for Low Density Lipoprotein? What are the Indications for Low Density Lipoprotein?

Useful in determining risk of cardiovascular disease.

What would cause Increased Levels of Low Density Lipoprotein?

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

What would cause Decreased Levels of Low Density Lipoprotein?

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

Lipase Jan 07, 2023

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Objective:

Determine the significance and clinical use of Lipase in clinical practice

Lab Test Name:

Lipase

Description:

Lipase

Measurement of lipase in the blood

Used to diagnose pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer
An enzyme produced by the pancreas
Aids in breakdown of fats
Released into the bloodstream as a result of damage to the pancreas

Indications:

Diagnose:

Pancreatitis
- Severe upper abdominal pain
- Abdominal pain – radiates
- Fever
- N/V
- Tachycardia
Pancreatic cancer
- Discoloration of urine and stool
- Weight loss
- Diabetes

Normal Therapeutic Values:

Normal:

23-300 U/L

Collection:

Plasma separator tube
Serum separator tube

What would cause increased levels?

Pancreatitis
Pancreatic cyst
Pseudocyst
Pancreatic duct obstruction
Renal failure
Cholecystitis
Peptic ulcer disease

What would cause decreased levels?

N/A

Lactic Acid Dec 31, 2022

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What is the Lab Name for Lactic Acid Lab Values?

Lactic Acid

What is Lactic Acid in terms of Nursing Labs?

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 is the Normal Range for Lactic Acid?

0.3 -2.6 mmol/L

What are the Indications for Lactic Acid?

Determine cause of acidosis
Evaluate tissue oxygenation

What would cause Increased Levels of Lactic Acid?

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

What would cause Decreased Levels of Lactic Acid?

N/A

Iron Dec 24, 2022

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Objective:

Determine the significance and clinical use of iron levels in clinical practice

Lab Test Name:

Iron – Fe

Description:

Measures the amount of Fe in the bloodstream.

Evaluates:

Sufficient Fe level
- oxygen transport
- proper hemoglobin & RBC production

Iron (Fe) is an element that is an important component of hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Iron aids hemoglobin's transport of oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body.

The storage form of iron is ferritin. Iron is transported in the blood by a protein called transferrin.

Indications:

Identify:

Blood loss
Hemochromatosis
Malabsorption of iron
Iron overload

Type of anemia:

Thalassemia
Sideroblastic anemia
Iron deficient anemia

Normal Therapeutic Values:

Normal –

50-175 μg/dL

Collection:

plasma separator tube

What would cause increased levels:

What would cause Increased Levels of Iron?

Hemochromatosis
Lead toxicity
Iron poisoning
Acute liver disease
Multiple blood transfusions
Hemolytic anemia
Sideroblastic anemia

What would cause decreased levels:

What would cause Decreased Levels of Iron?

Blood Loss:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding
- Heavy menstruation
- Chronic hematuria
Hypothyroidism
Iron-deficiency anemia
Inadequate absorption of iron

INR Dec 17, 2022

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What is the Lab Name for International Normalized Ratio (INR) Lab Values?

International Normalized Ratio

What is the Lab Abbreviation for International Normalized Ratio?

INR

What is International Normalized Ratio in terms of Nursing Labs?

International normalized ratio(INR) takes results from a prothrombin time test and standardizes it regardless of collection method.

What is the Normal Range for International Normalized Ratio?

0.8 – 1.2 Therapeutic Levels on Warfarin 2.0 – 3.5

What are the Indications for International Normalized Ratio?

Evaluate therapeutic doses of Warfarin
Identify patients at higher risk for bleeding
Identify cause of:
- Bleeding
- Deficiencies

What would cause Increased Levels of International Normalized Ratio?

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
Liver disease
Vitamin K deficiency
Warfarin

What would cause Decreased Levels of International Normalized Ratio?

Too much vitamin K
Estrogen containing medications such as birth control

High Density Lipoprotein Dec 10, 2022

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What is the Lab Name for High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Lab Values?

High Density Lipoprotein

What is the Lab Abbreviation for High Density Lipoprotein?

HDL

What is High Density Lipoprotein in terms of Nursing Labs?

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, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). HDL cholesterol is considered the good cholesterol because it travels through the blood picking up extra cholesterol and taking it back to the liver.

What is the Normal Range for High Density Lipoprotein?

60 optimal mg/dL

What are the Indications for High Density Lipoprotein?

Monitor risks of heart disease

What would cause Increased Levels of High Density Lipoprotein?

Familial HDL Lipoproteinemia
Exercise
Unsaturated fats:
- Mono-
- Poly-
Hypothyroid

What would cause Decreased Levels of High Density Lipoprotein?

Metabolic Syndrome
Hepatocellular disease:
- Hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
Hypoproteinemia:
- Nephrotic Syndrome
- Malnutrition
Smoking
High saturated and trans fat diets
Excess body weight
Hyperthyroid

Hemoglobin Dec 03, 2022

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What is the Lab Name for Hemoglobin (Hbg) Lab Values?

Hemoglobin

What is the Lab Abbreviation for Hemoglobin?

Hbg

What is Hemoglobin in terms of Nursing Labs?

Hemoglobin (Hbg), an iron containing compound, is the main protein in Red Blood Cells (RBCs). It enables oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2) to bind to RBCs for transport throughout the body.

What is the Normal Range for Hemoglobin?

Male: 13.5 – 16.5 g/dL | Female: 12.0 – 15.0 g/dL

What are the Indications for Hemoglobin?

Identify:

Bleeding disorders
Anemia
Blood loss

What would cause Increased Levels of Hemoglobin?

Erythrocytosis
Polycythemia Vera
Shock
Dehydration
Severe burns
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Congenital Heart Disease

What would cause Decreased Levels of Hemoglobin?

Anemia
Blood Loss
Bone Marrow Disorders:
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Aplastic anemia
Severe burns
Hyperthyroidism
Renal disease
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Hematocrit Nov 26, 2022

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What is the Lab Name for Hematocrit (Hct) Lab Values?

Hematocrit

What is the Lab Abbreviation for Hematocrit?

Hct

What is Hematocrit in terms of Nursing Labs?

Hematocrit (Hct) is the percentage of the blood that is made up of packed Red Blood Cells (RBCs). A hematocrit level of 40% indicates that there are 40 mL packed red blood cells in 100 mL of blood.

What is the Normal Range for Hematocrit?

Male: 41 – 50% | Female: 36 – 44%

What are the Indications for Hematocrit?

Identify:
- Anemia
- Bleeding
- Bleeding disorder
- Fluid imbalances

What would cause Increased Levels of Hematocrit?

Erythrocytosis
Polycythemia Vera
Shock
Dehydration
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Congenital Heart Disease

What would cause Decreased Levels of Hematocrit?

Anemia
Blood loss
Bone marrow disorders:
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Hodgkin disease
- Multiple myeloma
- Aplastic anemia
Hyperthyroidism
Renal disease
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1c Nov 19, 2022

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What is the Lab Name for Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) Lab Values?

Glycosylated Hemoglobin

What is the Lab Abbreviation for Glycosylated Hemoglobin?

HbA1c

What is Glycosylated Hemoglobin in terms of Nursing Labs?

Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the combination of glucose and hemoglobin. When glucose is elevated in the blood the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin increases proportionally. A red blood cells lifespan is about 4 months, so you can get an idea of blood sugar control over the last several months.

What is the Normal Range for Glycosylated Hemoglobin?

5.6-7.5 % of total Hgb

What are the Indications for Glycosylated Hemoglobin?