Diagnostic Labs

Question 1

Albumin

Answer 1

Range: 3.5-5 g/dL
Significance: LOW = hepatic disease

Question 2

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

Answer 2

Range: 3-35 Intl. units/L
Significance: INCREASE = liver disease; hepatitis; cirrhosis

Question 3

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

Answer 3

Range: 5-40 units/L
Significance: INCREASE = liver disease; hepatitis; cirrhosis

Question 4

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

Answer 4

Range: 115-225 Intl. units/L
Significance: INCREASE = hepatitis

Question 5

Alkaline phosphatase

Answer 5

Range: 30-85 Intl. units/L
Significance: INCREASE = liver disease; biliary obstruction

Question 6

Bilirubin

Answer 6

Range: Total: 0.1-1 mg/dL; Conj.: 0.1-0.3 mg/dL; Unconj.: 0.2-0.8 mg/dL
Significance: INCREASE = hemolysis; biliary obstruction; liver damage

Question 7

Ammonia

Answer 7

Range: 15-110 mg/dL
Significance: INCREASE = cirrhosis

Question 8

Serum amylase

Answer 8

Range: 56-90 Intl. units/L
Significance: INCREASE = pancreatitis

Question 9

Serum lipase

Answer 9

Range: 0-110 units/L
Significance: INCREASE = pancreatitis

Question 10

Cholesterol

Answer 10

Range: <200 mg/dL
Significance: INCREASE = pancreatitis; biliary obstruction; DECREASE = liver damage

Question 11

Urine bilirubin

Answer 11

Range: Should be none
Significance: INCREASE = biliary obstruction; cirrhosis; hepatitis

Question 12

Urobilinogen

Answer 12

Range: 0.1-1 Ehrlich units/mL
Significance: INCREASE = hepatitis; cirrhosis; Absence = obstructive jaundice

Question 13

Stool occult blood (hemoccult)

Answer 13

Range: Negative
Significance: INCREASE = carcinoma; peptic ulcer; ulcerative colitis