Lab Values Flashcards
Potassium
3.5-5 mEq/L
When you think of potassium, think of bananas.
There are usually 3-5 bananas in a bunch, and you want to buy them 1/2 off if you can.
Sodium
135-145 mEq/L.
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.
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)
5-20 mg/dL.
Use the word “bun” to think of bunion.
Bunions are typically located on the toes or digits, and we have 5 digits per extremity which
totals 20 digits.
Creatinine
Creatinine measures renal function
0.6-1.2 mg/dL.
Use the word “nine” in creatinine to remember 0.9.
3/16
0.9 is right in the middle of normal, and this will help you remember the normal range of
0.6-1.2 mg/dL.
Glucose
70-100 mg/dL.
When you think of glucose, think of energy.
Our energy starts to decline during our elderly years, especially when we are 70-100 years
old.
Calcium
8.5-10.5 mg/dL.
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.
Chloride
95-105 mEq/L.
When you think of chloride, think of chlorine in a hot tub.
The average temperature of a hot tub is 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit.
WBC (White Blood Cells)
5,000-10,000/mcL.
You can use “WBC” as an acronym to remember Wanna Buy a Car for $5,000-$10,000.
This will help you remember the normal range for WBCs is about 5,000-10,000/mcL.
RBC (Red Blood Cells)
4.5-5.5 million/mcL.
When you think of red blood cells, think of blood.
An adult human body has approximately 4.5-5.5L of blood.
This correlates perfectly with the normal range for red blood cells of 4.5-5.5 million/mcL.
Hemoglobin
12-18 g/dL.
When you think of hemoglobin, think of oxygen as hemoglobin carries and transfers oxygen.
The average adult takes 12-18 breaths per minute at rest.
This will help you remember the normal range for hemoglobin is 12-18 g/dL.
A normal hemoglobin for females is about 12-16 g/dL, and a normal hemoglobin for males
is about 14-18 g/dL.
Hematocrit
The normal range for hematocrit is about 37-50%.
When you think of hematocrit, think of hematocrisis and a midlife crisis which typically
occurs between 40-50 years old.
This will help you remember a normal range of about 37-50%.
A normal hematocrit for females is about 37-47%, and a normal hematocrit for males is
about 42-50%.
Platelet
150,000-400,000/mcL.
When you think of platelets, think of the word plate.
Fine China plate sets may cost anywhere from $150-400 on average.
This will help you remember a normal range of 150,000-400,000/mcL.
INR
(International Normalized Ratio)
An INR of < 1 is considered normal in healthy individuals.
You can use the letter “I” in INR to remember the number 1.
This will help you remember the normal range of < 1.
PT (Prothrombin Time)
normal range of 10-12 seconds.
You can use the “T” in PT to remember “Ten”.
This will help you remember the PT is normally 10-12 seconds.
PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time)
30-40 seconds.
Similar to PT, you can use the “T’s” to help you remember the normal range.
You can use the first “T” to remember “Ten” and the second “T” to remember
“Twenty/Thirty”.
This will give you the normal range of 30-40 seconds when you add them up.
