ED Labs

Question 1

What does a CBC check for?

Answer 1

Infection (WBC), anemia or bleeding (Hgb/Hct), and clotting (platelets).

Question 2

What does a BMP/CMP assess?

Answer 2

Electrolytes, kidney function (BUN, creatinine), glucose, and liver function (if CMP).

Question 3

What does a troponin test indicate?

Answer 3

Cardiac muscle damage, such as from a myocardial infarction (MI).

Question 4

What does a BNP level help diagnose?

Answer 4

Congestive heart failure (CHF).

Question 5

What is the purpose of a D-dimer test?

Answer 5

Screens for blood clots (PE or DVT); if negative, rules out clot.

Question 6

What does a lactic acid level indicate?

Answer 6

Tissue hypoxia or sepsis (anaerobic metabolism).

Question 7

What does a PT/INR test evaluate?

Answer 7

Blood clotting and warfarin effectiveness.

Question 8

What does an aPTT test monitor?

Answer 8

Heparin therapy and intrinsic clotting pathway.

Question 9

Why is a Type & Screen done in the ED?

Answer 9

To determine blood type and check for antibodies before transfusion.

Question 10

What is checked in a urinalysis?

Answer 10

Infection (WBC/nitrites), blood, ketones, glucose, and hydration status.

Question 11

What is a urine HCG used for in the ED?

Answer 11

Pregnancy test (usually qualitative).

Question 12

Why are blood cultures drawn?

Answer 12

To detect bloodstream infections (draw before antibiotics).

Question 13

What does an ABG analyze?

Answer 13

Oxygenation, pH, CO2 levels; detects respiratory or metabolic acidosis/alkalosis.

Question 14

Normal WBC count (CBC)?

Answer 14

4,000–11,000/mm³

Question 15

Normal Hemoglobin (Hgb)?

Answer 15

Men: 13.5–17.5 g/dL
Women: 12.0–16.0 g/dL

Question 16

Normal Hematocrit (Hct)?

Answer 16

Men: 41–53%
Women: 36–46%

Question 17

Normal Platelet count?

Answer 17

150,000–450,000/mm³

Question 18

Normal Sodium (Na)?

Answer 18

135–145 mEq/L

Question 19

Normal Potassium (K)?

Answer 19

3.5–5.0 mEq/L

Question 20

Normal Chloride (Cl)?

Answer 20

96–106 mEq/L

Question 21

Normal Bicarbonate (CO2/HCO3)?

Answer 21

22–29 mEq/L

Question 22

Normal BUN?

Answer 22

7–20 mg/dL

Question 23

Normal Creatinine?

Answer 23

Men: 0.7–1.3 mg/dL
Women: 0.6–1.1 mg/dL

Question 24

Normal Glucose (fasting)?

Answer 24

70–99 mg/dL

Question 25

Normal Calcium?

Answer 25

8.5–10.5 mg/dL

Question 26

Normal AST/ALT (Liver enzymes)?

Answer 26

AST: 10–40 U/L ALT: 7–56 U/L

Question 27

Normal Troponin I?

Answer 27

<0.04 ng/mL (MI likely >0.40)

Question 28

Normal BNP?

Answer 28

<100 pg/mL (CHF likely if >400)

Question 29

Normal D-dimer?

Answer 29

<0.5 mcg/mL FEU (or <500 ng/mL)

Question 30

Normal Lactic Acid?

Answer 30

0.5–2.2 mmol/L

Question 31

Normal PT?

Answer 31

11–13.5 seconds

Question 32

Normal INR?

Answer 32

0.8–1.1 (2–3 if on warfarin)

Question 33

Normal aPTT?

Answer 33

25–35 seconds (60–80 if on heparin)

Question 34

Normal ABG – pH?

Answer 34

7.35–7.45

Question 35

Normal ABG – PaCO₂?

Answer 35

35–45 mmHg

Question 36

Normal ABG – HCO₃⁻?

Answer 36

22–26 mEq/L

Question 37

Normal ABG – PaO₂?

Answer 37

80–100 mmHg

Question 38

Normal urine HCG (pregnancy test)?

Answer 38

Negative (positive indicates pregnancy)