Common Laboratory Values

Question 1

What is the purpose of collecting arterial blood gases (ABGs)?

Answer 1

Collected to evaluate the acid base status (pH), ventilation (PaCO2), and oxygenation in arterial blood (PaO2)

Question 2

What are the normal values for SpO2, PaO2, PaCO2 and pH?

Answer 2

SpO2= 98-100%
PaO2 = 80-100 mmHg
PaCO2 = 35-45 mmHg
pH = 7.35-7.45

Question 3

What level of SpO2 usually requires supplemental oxygen?

Answer 3

Below 88-90%

Question 4

List 2 conditions that results in an increase in PaCO2.

Answer 4

COPD

Hypoventilation

Question 5

List 4 conditions that result in a decrease in PaCO2.

Answer 5

Hyperventilation
Pregnancy
Pulmonary embolism
Anxiety

Question 6

What is the difference between acidemia and alkalemia?

Answer 6

Acidemia = elevated acidity of the blood (pH < 7.35)
Alkalemia = decreased acidity of the blood (pH > 7.45)

Question 7

What is the difference between eucapnia, hypercapnia and hypocapnia?

Answer 7

Eucapnia = normal level of CO2 blood (35-45mmHg) 
Hypercapnia = high level of CO2 in blood ( > 45 mmHg)
Hypocapnia = low level of CO2 in blood (< 35  mmHg)

Question 8

What PaO2 levels classify mild, moderate and severe hypoxemia?

Answer 8

Hypoxemia = low level of O2 in arterial blood (< 80 mmHg)

Mild = PaO2 60-79 mmHg
Moderate = PaO2 40-59 mmHg
Severe = PaO2 < 40 mmHg

Question 9

What is hypoxia?

Answer 9

Low level of O2 in the tissue despite adequate perfusion of the tissue

Question 10

REMINDER TO REVIEW ABG CALCULATIONS FOR ACIDOSIS AND ALKALOSIS.

Answer 10

REVIEW PAGE 410 IN SCOREBUILDERS

VERY IMPORTANT

Question 11

What PaCO2 and pH values indicate respiratory/metabolic acidosis versus alkalosis?

Answer 11

PaCO2 > 45mmHg and pH <7.4 = respiratory acidosis
PaCO2 > 45mmHg and pH > 7.4 = retention of CO2 to compensate for metabolic alkalosis
PaCO2 < 45mmHg and pH > 7.4 = respiratory alkalosis
PaCO2 < 45mmHg and pH < 7.4 = elimination of CO2 to compensate for metabolic acidosis

Question 12

What are the normal values for HCO3-? What do they indicate?

Answer 12

22-26 mEq/L

Indicates no primary metabolic problem and no metabolic compensation for a respiratory problem

Question 13

What HCO3- and pH values indicate respiratory/metabolic acidosis versus alkalosis?

Answer 13

HCO3- < 22 mEq/L and pH < 7.4 = metabolic acidosis
HCO3- < 22 mEq/L > 7.4 = renal compensation for respiratory alkalosis
HCO3- > 22 mEq/L > 7.4 = metabolic alkalosis
HCO3- > 22 mEq/L < 7.4 = renal compensation for respiratory acidosis

Question 14

What are the normal values for prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT)?

Answer 14

Prothrombin time = 11-15 sec

Partial thromboplastin time = 25-40 sec

Question 15

What are the normal INR values for average adults?

Answer 15

INR = 0.9-1.1

Question 16

What is the target INR for patients with DVTs, pulmonary embolism, mechanical valves, and atrial fibrillation on anticoagulation therapy?

Answer 16

Target INR = 2-3.5

Question 17

What are the normal values for bleeding time and c-reactive proteins?

Answer 17

Bleeding time = 2-10 min

C-reactive proteins = <10mg/L

Question 18

Elevated levels of c-reactive proteins increase risk for developing ____. C-reactive protein levels > 100mg/L are associated with _____ and _____.

Answer 18

Increase risk for developing ATHEROSCLEROSIS

> 100mg/L = INFECTION AND INFLAMMATION

Question 19

What are the normal values for WBCs?

Answer 19

4300-10,800 cells/mm3

Question 20

List 4 instanced where WBCs may be elevated.

Answer 20

Infection
Inflammation
Leukemia
Lymphoma

Question 21

List 2 instances where WBCs may be decreased.

Answer 21

Aplastic anemia

B12 or folate deficiency

Question 22

What level of WBCs and absolute neutrophil count (ANCs) require the use of a mask when treating a patient?

Answer 22

WBCs < 1000-2000 cells/mm3

ANC < 500-1000

Question 23

What are the normal RBC values for males and females?

Answer 23

Males = 4.6-6.2 10^6/uL
Females = 4.2-5.9 10^6/uL

Question 24

Elevated RBCs indicate ____ and decreased RBCs indicate ____.

Answer 24

Elevated RBCs = polycythemia

Decreased RBCs = anemia

Question 25

What are the normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) values for males and females?

Answer 25

Males < 15 mm/hr | Female < 20 mm/hr

Question 26

List 4 conditions where erythrocyte sedimentation rate may be elevated.

Answer 26

Infection Inflammation Rheumatoid arthritis Osteomyelitis

Question 27

What are the normal hematocrit values for males and females?

Answer 27

``` Males = 45-52% Females = 37%-48% ```

Question 28

List 3 conditions where hematocrit may be elevated.

Answer 28

Erythrocytosis Dehydration Shock

Question 29

List 2 conditions where hematocrit may be decreased.

Answer 29

Severe anemia | Acute hemorrhage

Question 30

What are the consequences of decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin?

Answer 30

Decreased exercise tolerance Increased fatigue Tachycardia

Question 31

What are the normal hemoglobin values for males and females?

Answer 31

``` Male = 13-18 g/dL Female = 12-16 g/dL ```

Question 32

List 3 conditions where hemoglobin may be elevated.

Answer 32

Polycythemia Dehydration Shock

Question 33

List 3 conditions where hemoglobin may be decreased.

Answer 33

``` Anemia Prolonged hemorrhage RBC destruction (cancer, sickle cell disease) ```

Question 34

What WBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are contraindicated for exercise?

Answer 34

WBC < 1000 = NO EXERCISE Hemoglobin < 8 = NO EXERCISE Hematocrit < 25% = NO EXERCISE

Question 35

What are the normal values for platelet count?

Answer 35

150,000-450,000 cells/mm3

Question 36

List 4 conditions that are associated with decreased platelet count.

Answer 36

Thrombocytopenia Acute leukemia Aplastic anemia Cancer chemotherapy

Question 37

What platelet count values indicate light, moderate, or no exercise?

Answer 37

30,000-50,000 = moderate exercise 20,000-30,000 = light exercise only < 20,000 = AROM, ADLs only

Question 38

What are the normal values for total cholesterol? What is considered borderline versus high?

Answer 38

Desirable < 200 mg/dL Borderline 200-239 mg/dL High > 240 mg/dL

Question 39

What are the normal values for LDL cholesterol? What is considered borderline versus high versus very high?

Answer 39

Optimal < 100 mg/dL Borderline 130-159 mg/dL High 160-189 mg/dL Very high > 190 mg/dL

Question 40

What values are considered low versus high for HDL cholesterol?

Answer 40

Low < 40 mg/dL | High > 60 mg/dL

Question 41

What are the normal values for triglycerides? What is considered borderline versus high versus very high?

Answer 41

Desirable < 150 mg/dL Borderline 150-199 mg/dL High 200-499 mg/dL Very high > 500 mg/dL