Lab Values Flashcards by Gaby Mora

What is the main purpose of knowing lab values?

Can be used as a screening tool for diabetes, kidney diseases, can indicate kidney failure, insulin shock, diabetic coma or respiratory distress.

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What is the purpose of the sodium lab value?

It is the critical determinant of fluid volume in the body

“Sodium Swells”

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What is the normal range for sodium?

136-145 mEq/L

Mnemonic: sODDium 1,3,5

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What is the possible critical value for sodium?

<120 and >160

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What is the rehab consideration for sodium?

If it is REDUCED: cramps, weakness, confused. Meds: corticosteroids/ diuretics.
If it is ELEVATED: fluid retention, swelling, HTN, diabetes insípidos, pitting edema, dehydration

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What is the purpose of the potassium lab value?

Function of excitable cells (nerves, muscles, heart)
P for Pump- potassium helps pump the heart muscles

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What is the normal range for potassium?

3.5-5 mEq/L

Mnemonic: how many bananas do you usually buy at the store? 3-5

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What is the possible critical value for potassium?

<2.5 and >6.5

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What are the rehab considerations for potassium?

If it is REDUCED: hypokalemia: inverse T wave, U wave, arrhythmias (Potassium pumps. In this case Potassium pumps low. So, if it pumps to little the t wave will be low) tachycardia
If it is ELEVATED: hyperkalemia: Peaked T wave and ST segment (Potassium pups. So if it pumps too much then the t waves are peaked- deadly arrhythmias), bradycardia because the heart is pumping too much and its like a cramp- muscles can’t function right with too much pumping

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What is the purpose of the lab value for chloride?

Change in response to sodium and water
Helps to maintain the acid base balance in the body

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What is the normal range for chloride?

98-106 mEq/L

Mnemonic: hot tub temp?

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What is the possible critical value for Chloride?

<80 or >115

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What are the rehab considerations for chloride?

If it is REDUCED: hypochloremia: hyponatremia, metabolic alkalosis, tetany, hypotension, hyper-excited muscles, hypo ventilation
If it is ELEVATED: hyperchloremia, hypernatremia, metabolic acidosis, hypernatremia, hyperventilation

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What is the purpose for the lab value of calcium?

To rule in or out kidney, bone disease, parathyroid hormone. Calcium contracts the muscles.

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What is the normal range for calcium?

9-11 mg/dl

Mnemonic: if lactose intolerant call 911 cuz Logan’s farts are nasty (calcium in milk)

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What is the possible critical value for calcium?

<6 or >13

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What are the rehab considerations for calcium?

If it is REDUCED: paresthesias, spasms, seizures, QT INTERVAL PROLONGED, numbness in mouth and fingers
If it is ELEVATED: bradycardia, AV heart block, SHORT QT interval, coma, kidney stones, myeloma, fatigue, decreased tone

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What is the purpose of the creatine lab value?

Elevated kidney functions and if there is normal waste product

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What is the normal range for creatine?

0.5-1.1

Mnemonic: it takes .5. Minutes to 1 hour to CREATE dinner

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What is the possible critical value for creatine?

> 4 indicating serious renal function impairment

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What are the rehab considerations for creatine?

If it is REDUCED: reduced body mass, MD
If it is ELEVATED: decline in kidney function, rise in creatine level directly correlated with amount of nephron function

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What is the purpose of the Blood Urine Nitrogen (BUN) lab value?

It evaluates the kidney and reflects the balance of nitrogen

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What is the normal range for BUN?

10-20

Mnemonic: your buns are so big that 0-10 isn’t the best scale for it. You have to use 10-20 to rate it

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What is the possible critical value for BUN?

> 100 which indicates seriously impaired renal function

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What are the rehab considerations for BUN?

If it is ELEVATED: decreased renal function, GI bleed

What is the importance of the magnesium lab value?

Regulation of excitable cells Magnesium mellows the muscles

What is the normal range for magnesium?

1.3-2.1 Mnemonic: magnums are 1.3-2x bigger than the penis. LMAOOOOO

What is the possible critical value of magnesium?

<0.5 to >3.0

What are the rehab considerations for magnesium?

If it is REDUCED: PROLONGED PR or QT INTERVALS, T wave flat/INVERTED, weak, muscles spasms, numbness, decreased in diabetes, DEADLY ARRHYTHMIAS, hyperrefleixa, increased DTRs, Vfib If it is ELEVATED: weakness, respiratory failure, coma, paralysis, decreased DTR’s and hyporeflexia Because magnesium mellows muscles- so if its high the muscles are mellowed and if its low its high mellow which means the muscles are excited.

What is the purpose of the glucose lab value?

It is a diagnostic alternative in glucose homeostasis. MEASURE AT REST

What is the normal range for glucose?

70-110 Mnemonic: you get sugar from 7ELEVEN

What is the possible critical value for glucose?

<70 and >110

What are the rehab considerations for Glucose?

<70 - give sugar >180 with ketone bodies: NO EXERCISE >300 with no ketone bodies: NO EXERCISE Remember if they don’t have the presence of ketones and their glucose is >180 you can still exercise until you get to 300 without the presence of ketones. “Hypogly the brain might die”

How long must you fast to take the fasting blood glucose test?

At least 8 hours

What is the normal value for fasting blood glucose?

<100

What is the critical value for fasting blood glucose?

>100

What is the rehab consideration for blood glucose?

Diabetes

What is the purpose for testing A1C?

It evaluates the pt’s glycemic control over the past 3 months

What is the normal range for A1C?

< or equal to 5.6%

What is the possible critical value for A1C?

>6.4%

What are the rehab considerations for A1C?

Prediabetes: 5.7-6.4% Diabetes: > or = to 6.5%

What is the purpose of Red blood cells (Erythrocytes)?

Red blood count and how quickly RBC sink to the bottom. This is called Erythro sedimentation rate (ESR)

What is the normal range for ESR?

< or = 20

What is the possible critical value for ESR?

Disease worse as ESR increases. Disease is better as ESR disease decreases

What are the rehab considerations for Erythrocytes (ESR)?

If it is DECREASED: anemia, hemorrhage, iron insufficiency, chemo, leukemia, endocarditis If it is INCREASED: COPD, dehydration, diarrhea, poison, high altitude, chronic heart disease, polycythemia

What is the purpose of the hematocrit lab value?

% of whole blood occupied by RBC and total blood volume

What is the normal range for hematocrit?

Men: 42-52% Women: 37-48

What is the possible critical value for hematocrit?

>60% blood clots, endurance impaired <25% NO EXERCISE

What are the rehab considerations for Hematocrit?

If it is DECREASED: anemia, hemorrhage, folate, iron deficiency,B12 deficiency, leukemia, hyperthyroidism, burns If it is INCREASED: polycythemia, dehydration, shock, burns, cor pulmonale

What is the purpose of the hemoglobin lab value?

Measure O2 carrying capacity of RBC

What is the normal range for hemoglobin?

Men: 13-18 Women 12-16

What is the possible critical value for hemoglobin?

>20 clog 8-10 light exercise <8 NO EXERCISE Below 8, to late- below 7 sends your patient to heaven.

What are the rehab considerations for hemoglobin?

If it is DECREASED: sickle cell disease, pregnancy, hyperthyroidism, cirrhosis, burns, systemic disease If it is INCREASED, high altitude, COPD, CHF, dehydrated, polycythemia

What is the purpose of platelet (thrombocytes) lab value?

Measures clotting potential

What is the normal range for platelets (Thrombocytes)?

150,000 - 450,000 Mnemonic: wedding plates cost 150-450

What is the possible critical value for platelets (Thrombocytes)?

1. >450,000 monitor for venous TE 2. 50,000-150,000 some limit 3. 30-50,000 moderate limits 4. 20-30,000 light exercise 5. <20,000 NO EXERCISE

What are the rehab considerations for platelets (Thrombocytes)?

If it is DECREASED: Bone marrow failed, hemorrhage, pneumonia, HIV, cancer If it is INCREASED: inflammation, infection, cancer, RA

What is the purpose of leukocytes (WBC’s)?

Fight infections and react against foreign body tissue

What is the normal range for Leukocytes (WBC’s)?

5,000- 10,000

What are the possible critical values for leukocytes (WBC’s)?

1. >10,000 leukocytosis, early morning it is low and later it peaks. Exercise is symptom based 2. <4,000 leukopenia, symptom based. IF Pt HAS FEVER, DO NOT EXERCISE 3. <1,500 neutropenia, NO EXERCISE

What are the rehab considerations for leukocytes (WBC’s)?

If it is DECREASED: infection, bone marrow is suppressed, AIDS, alcoholism, diabetes, autoimmune If it is INCREASED: infection, leukemia, tissue necrosis, burn, thyroid storm, dehydrated

What are the different white blood cells?

“Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas” Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Esophilis, Basophils And their ranges are from greatest to least with this mnemonic

What is the importance of neutrophils?

Defense against foreign substances usually bacterial infections

What is the normal range for neutrophils?

60 (greatest)

What is the importance of lymphocytes?

Produce antibodies, fight tumors, respond to viral infections

What is the normal range for lymphocytes?

What is the importance of monocytes?

They clean up debris after neutrophils

What is the normal range for monocytes?

What is the importance of esophils?

They attack parasites and play a role in asthma and allergies

What is the normal range for esophils?

What is the importance of Basophils?

They release histamine during allergic reactions

What is the normal range for basophils?

What is the importance of the INR lab value?

Tells us how quickly a person coagulates with standard stimulus.

What is the normal value for INR?

0.9-1.1 Mnemonic: if their INR elevates call 911

What is the critical value for INR?

2-3 anticoagulation meds Critical value: >5.5

What are the rehab considerations for INR?

If INCREASED: risk of bleeding with trauma Pulmonary embolism range: 2.5-3.5

What is the importance of prothrombin time?

It also determines coaguability

What is the normal range for prothrombin time?

11-12.5

What is the possible critical value for Prothrombin time?

>20

What are the rehab considerations for prothrombin time?

If the values are critical- contact MD

What are the components of a full lipid profile?

Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides

What is the range for total cholesterol?

<200

What is the range for LDL?

<160

What is the range for HDL?

Women: >50 Men: >40

What is the range for triglycerides?

<150

Full lipid profile hack

When you add women value for HDL and triglycerides it = 200 And when you add LDL value and men HDL value it also equals 200

What are the special tests for low calcium?

1. Trousseau’s test: twerking arm when BP cuff is on 2. Chvosteks test: stroking the side of face causes smile

What are the signs of high calcium?

Stones, moans, groans 1. Kidney stones 2. Constipation