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:

Chloride Sep 03, 2022

Show notes

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

What is the Lab Name for Chloride (Cl-) Lab Values?

Chloride

What is the Lab Abbreviation for Chloride?

Cl-

What is Chloride in terms of Nursing Labs?

Chloride (Cl–), an anion found in the blood, works together with sodium to help maintain oncotic pressure and water balance in the body. Chloride is inversely related to bicarbonate levels in the blood. Chloride is also part of hydrochloric acid (HCL) which is utilized in the stomach to breakdown food. When Red Blood Cells (RBCs) take up CO2 they take up chloride as well. The negative ion bicarbonate then leaves the red blood cell so that the electrical charge is maintained. Extra chloride is excreted into the urine by the kidneys.

What is the Normal Range for Chloride?

96-108 mEq/L

What are the Indications for Chloride?

Identify
- Acid-Base Imbalance

What would cause Increased Levels of Chloride?

Dehydration
Acute Renal Failure
Cushing Disease
Metabolic Acidosis
Respiratory Alkalosis

What would cause Decreased Levels of Chloride?

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Water intoxication
Burns
Metabolic Alkalosis
Respiratory Acidosis
Addison Disease
Salt-losing Nephritis
Excessive sweating
Diarrhea
Vomiting

Calcium Aug 27, 2022

Show notes

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

What is the Lab Name for Calcium (Ca+) Lab Values?

Calcium

What is the Lab Abbreviation for Calcium?

Ca+

What is Calcium in terms of Nursing Labs?

Calcium (Ca+), a positive ion in the body, is necessary for neuromuscular processes, bone mineralization, and hormonal secretion. The parathyroid gland and vitamin D are responsible for calcium regulation in the body. In the blood, about half of calcium travels in ion form, the other half is bound to proteins like albumin. When albumin levels are low, calcium levels will appear lower. Calcium has an important relationship with phosphorus: they are inversely proportional.

What is the Normal Range for Calcium?

8.4-10.2 mg/dL

What are the Indications for Calcium?

Identify problems with:
- Parathyroid
- Neuromuscular functions
- Diseases that affect bone
- Effectiveness of treatments.

What would cause Increased Levels of Calcium?

Cancers:
- Breast, lung, and multiple myeloma are the most common
Hyperparathyroidism
Acidosis
Renal transplant
Sarcoidosis
Vitamin D toxicity
Dehydration

What would cause Decreased Levels of Calcium?

Malnutrition
Cirrhosis
Chronic Renal Failure
Hypoparathyroidism
Alkalosis
Hypomagnesemia
Hypoalbuminemia
Hyperphosphatemia
Malabsorption
Alcoholism
Osteomalacia
Vitamin D deficiency

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Aug 20, 2022

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What is the Lab Name for Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Lab Values?

Blood Urea Nitrogen

What is the Lab Abbreviation for Blood Urea Nitrogen?

BUN

What is Blood Urea Nitrogen in terms of Nursing Labs?

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) measures the amount of urea in the blood. When protein is broken down ammonia is formed. Ammonia is converted to urea in the liver and is eventually excreted in the kidneys.

What is the Normal Range for Blood Urea Nitrogen?

7-20 mg/dL

What are the Indications for Blood Urea Nitrogen?

Identifying:
- Liver Problems
- Renal Problems
- Hydration Status
- Tumor Lysis
Evaluate effects of drugs on:
- Liver
- Kidney
Monitor effectiveness of hemodialysis

What would cause Increased Levels of Blood Urea Nitrogen?

Renal Failure
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Myocardial Infarction (MI)
Kidney Disease
Shock
Dehydration
Excessive Protein Intake
Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleed
Urinary Tract Obstruction

What would cause Decreased Levels of Blood Urea Nitrogen?

Liver Failure
Over-hydration
Inadequate Protein Intake
Pregnancy

Bilirubin Aug 13, 2022

Show notes

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Objective:

Determine the significance and clinical use of measuring Direct or Conjugated Bilirubin in clinical practice

Lab Test Name:

Direct or Conjugated Bilirubin

Description:

Bilirubin is a substance made when your body breaks down old red blood cells. This is a normal process. Bilirubin is also part of bile, which your liver makes to help digest the food you eat.

A small amount of bilirubin in your blood is normal.

Some bilirubin is bound to albumin in the blood. This type of bilirubin is called unconjugated, or indirect, bilirubin.

In the liver, bilirubin is changed into a form that your body can get rid of. This is called conjugated bilirubin or direct bilirubin.

This bilirubin travels from the liver into the small intestine. A very small amount passes into your kidneys and is excreted in your urine. This bilirubin also gives urine its distinctive yellow color and contributes to the brown color of stool.

Indications:

Newborns – immature liver has trouble clearing bilirubin and manifests as jaundice
Investigate jaundice in adults
Blockage of bile ducts- (liver or gallbladder)
Detection of liver disease- particularly hepatitis
Monitor progression of hepatitis
Detect issues with RBC breakdown→hemolytic anemia
Suspected drug toxicity- many medications are metabolized and cleared in the liver

Normal Therapeutic Values:

Normal – 0.0-0.2 mg/dL

Collection:

Plasma separator tube

What would cause increased levels?

Increased levels linked to:

Poor liver function or hepatitis
Certain medications
Hemolytic anemia
Pregnancy
Sepsis- poor perfusion
Exercise
TPN
ETOH

What would cause decreased levels?

Studies are inconclusive regarding risk or association with disease process in the presence of a decreased bilirubin level.

Aspartate Aminotransferase Aug 06, 2022

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What is the Lab Name for Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Lab Values?

Aspartate Aminotransferase

What is the Lab Abbreviation for Aspartate Aminotransferase?

AST

What is Aspartate Aminotransferase in terms of Nursing Labs?

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme primarily found in liver and heart cells and to a smaller extent, AST can also be found in the pancreas, kidneys, skeletal muscle, and brain. Levels of AST increase from cell death (necrosis) because the AST enzyme is released into the blood.

What is the Normal Range for Aspartate Aminotransferase?

12-37 U/L

What are the Indications for Aspartate Aminotransferase?

Monitor progression of:
- Liver disease
- Response to treatments.
Monitor liver toxic medications

What would cause Increased Levels of Aspartate Aminotransferase?

Liver disease
Liver cancer
Shock
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Pericarditis
Biliary tract obstruction
Dermatomyositis
Pancreatitis
Muscular Dystrophy
CVA
Hemolytic anemia
Delirium Tremens (DT)

What would cause Decreased Levels of Aspartate Aminotransferase?

N/A

Amylase Jul 30, 2022

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What is the Lab Name for Amylase Lab Values?

Amylase

What is Amylase in terms of Nursing Labs?

Amylase is made in the pancreas. It is an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates to allow our body to absorb it. Monitoring amylase levels can identify problems with the pancreas.

What is the Normal Range for Amylase?

0-130 U/L

What are the Indications for Amylase?

Diagnosing:
- Pancreatitis
- Pancreatic Duct Obstruction
- Macroamylasemia
Trauma to Pancreas

What would cause Increased Levels of Amylase?

Pancreatitis
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic Cyst
DKA
Peritonitis
Abdominal Trauma
Duodenal Obstruction
Mumps
Alcohol use

What would cause Decreased Levels of Amylase?

Pancreatic Insufficiency
Pancreatectomy
Toxemia of Pregnancy
Cystic Fibrosis
Liver Disease

Ammonia Jul 23, 2022

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What is the Lab Name for Ammonia (NH3) Lab Values?

Ammonia

What is the Lab Abbreviation for Ammonia?

NH3

What is Ammonia in terms of Nursing Labs?

Ammonia (NH3) is a byproduct created when protein is broken down. Ammonia is converted into urea in the liver, and urea is excreted by the kidneys. During liver disease, ammonia levels rise and can have a negative effect on the brain.

What is the Normal Range for Ammonia?

19-60 mcg/dL

What are the Indications for Ammonia?

Identifying liver disease
Monitoring hepatic encephalopathy
Evaluating effectiveness of treatment.

What would cause Increased Levels of Ammonia?

Liver Failure
Hepatic Coma (Hepatic Encephalopathy)
Reye's syndrome
Total Parental Nutrition (TPN)
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

What would cause Decreased Levels of Ammonia?

Some Antibiotics:
- Neomycin
Hypertension

Alkaline Phosphatase Jul 16, 2022

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Objective:

Determine the significance and clinical use of alkaline phosphatase in clinical practice

Lab Test Name:

Alkaline Phosphatase – ALP

Description:

Measures amount of ALP in circulation

Located in several places in the body:

Liver
Intestines
Biliary tract
Bones
Placenta

Different isoenzymes of ALP are used to determine:

Liver, bone, intestine and other cancers
Bone turnover in postmenopausal women

Indications:

Evaluation of ALP:

Hepatobiliary disease
Malignancies
Bone disease
Bone damage in renal patients

Normal Therapeutic Values:

Normal – 40-130 U/L

Collection:

Plasma separator tube

What would cause increased levels?

Increased levels assessed in:

Liver disease
Bone disease
Pregnancy
Amyloidosis
Lung cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Congestive heart failure
Ulcerative colitis
Hodgkin's disease
Chronic renal failure
Sarcoidosis

What would cause decreased levels?

Hypophosphatasia (spelling error on existing outline on NURSING.com)
Anemia
Kwashiorkor
Cretinism
Hypothyroidism
Zinc or magnesium deficiency
Scurvy

Alanine Aminotransferase Jul 02, 2022

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Objective:

Determine the significance and clinical use of Alanine Aminotransferase in clinical practice

Lab Test Name:

Alanine Aminotransferase – ALT

Description:

Measures amount of ALT, an enzyme produced by the liver, present in circulation

Found in:

Most abundantly in liver

Heart

Skeletal muscle

kidney

Increases in lab values indicate liver disease or liver damage

Indications:

Evaluation of ALT:

Progression of liver disease
Monitoring response to treatment

Normal Therapeutic Values:

Normal – 40-130 U/L

Collection:

Plasma separator tube

What would cause increased levels?

INCREASED:

Cirrhosis
Muscle damage
Preeclampsia
Biliary tract obstruction
Burns
Pancreatitis
Long-term alcohol abuse
Liver Cancer
Muscular dystrophy
MI
Myositis
Shock
Infection-mononucleosis

What would cause decreased levels?

DECREASED:

Pyridoxal phosphate deficiency
- A rare genetic metabolic disorder

Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Jun 25, 2022

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What is the Lab Name for Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Lab Values?

Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time

What is the Lab Abbreviation for Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time?

APTT

What is Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time in terms of Nursing Labs?

APPT is a test that measures the amount of time it takes for a fibrin clot to form after reagents have been added to the specimen. It is useful in diagnosis clotting disorders. In conjunction with PT it can be used to differentiate the specific factor that may be missing.

What is the Normal Range for Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time?

25-39 seconds

What are the Indications for Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time?