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Lab Values > Labs Values > Flashcards

Labs Values Flashcards

1
Q

ALT

A

alanine aminotransferase aka SGPT
4 - 36 U/L
*labs may vary per reference

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2
Q

AST

A

aspartate aminotransferase aka SGOT
0 - 35 U/L
*labs may vary per reference

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3
Q

ALP

A

alkaline phosphatase

44 - 147 U/L

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4
Q

Elevated ALP

A

Elevated ALP levels may indicate:

  • Biliary obstruction
  • Conditions of the bone
  • Osteomalacia
  • Osteoblastic bone tumors
  • Liver disease
  • Hepatitis
  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Leukemia
  • Lymphoma
  • Rickets
  • Sarcoidosis
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5
Q

AST

A

Aspartate aminotransferase, or AST, is an enzyme normally found in the red blood cells, liver, heart, muscle tissue, pancreas, and kidneys.

The AST test is performed to determine the level of this enzyme in the blood. This test is performed along with other blood tests, such as ALT, ALP, and bilirubin to confirm and monitor liver disease.

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6
Q

Elevated AST

A

An increased AST level is usually a sign of liver disease, but this would have to be confirmed with other blood tests mentioned above. An increased level may be a result of:

  • Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
  • Death of liver tissue
  • Heart attack
  • Hemochromotosis (too much iron in the body)
  • Hepatitis
  • Liver ischemia (poor blood flow to the liver)
  • Tumor or cancer to the liver
  • Pancreatitis
  • Muscle disease or trauma
  • The use of drugs
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7
Q

Chlorine (Cl)

A

96 mEq/L to 106 mEq/L

Chloride is an electrolyte that works with other electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium to maintain normal acid-base balance in the body.

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8
Q

Elevated Cl Levels

A

Elevated chloride levels may be due to:

  • Diarrhea
  • Metabolic acidosis
  • Respiratory alkalosis
  • Renal tubular acidosis
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9
Q

Low Cl Levels

A

Low levels of chloride may be related to:

  • Addison’s disease
  • Burns
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Dehydration
  • Excessive sweating
  • Metabolic alkalosis
  • Respiratory acidosis
  • Vomiting
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10
Q

Potassium (K)

A

Potassium is an electrolyte that helps to maintain the body’s acid-base balance. Potassium is also responsible for communication between nerves and muscles, including the heart. It assists with moving nutrients to the inside of cells and waste products out.

The normal reference range for potassium is 3.5 mEq/L to 5 mEq/L.

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11
Q

Hyperkalemia (High K Levels)

A

Hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels, may be a result of:

  • Kidney failure
  • Blood transfusions
  • Metabolic or respiratory acidosis
  • Red blood cell destruction
  • Some medications
  • Diet high in potassium
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12
Q

Hypokalemia (Low K Levels)

A

Hypokalemia, or low blood potassium, may be due to:

  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Diuretics
  • Hyperaldosteronism
  • Diet low in potassium
  • Vomiting
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13
Q

ALT

A

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme found mainly in the liver, but also in the kidneys, heart, muscles, and pancreas in smaller amounts.

The normal reference range for ALT is:

  • Men: 10 IU/L to 40 IU/L
  • Women: 7 IU/L to 35 IU/L
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14
Q

Elevated ALT Levels

A

An increase in the ALT level is usually a sign of liver disease. Liver disease can be confirmed when other liver blood tests are performed, such as:

  • Albumin
  • Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
  • Prothrombin time (PT)
  • Serum bilirubin
  • Urine bilirubin

An increased ALT level may be a result of:

  • Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
  • Death of liver tissue
  • Hepatitis (swollen and inflamed liver)
  • Hemochromatosis (too much iron in the body)
  • Fatty liver
  • Liver ischemia (poor blood flow to the liver)
  • Tumor or cancer of the liver
  • Pancreatitis
  • The use of drugs
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15
Q

Hematocrit (Hct)

A

The hematocrit test (also referred to as HCT, Ht, or PCV [packed cell volume]) is a measure of the amount of space, or volume, the red blood cells take up in the blood. The value is expressed as a percentage of red blood cells in a given volume of blood.

The normal reference ranges are as follows:

  • Men: 40% to 50%
  • Women: 36% to 44%
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16
Q

BUN

A

6 mg/dL to 20 mg/dL.

Blood urea nitrogen, or BUN, is a test for the levels of urea nitrogen in the blood. Urea nitrogen is the end result after protein is broken down.

17
Q

High BUN Levels

A

High levels of BUN may be related to:

  • Congestive heart failure
  • Dehydration
  • Excessive protein intakes
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Heart attack
  • Kidney disease or failure
  • Shock
  • Urinary tract obstruction
18
Q

Low BUN Levels

A

Low BUN levels may correlate with:

  • Liver failure
  • Low protein diet
  • Malnutrition
  • Over-hydration
19
Q

Calcium (Ca)

A

8.5 mg/dL to 10.2 mg/dL.

A calcium blood test measures the amount of calcium in the blood. All cells in the body need calcium to work appropriately, such as heart function, muscle contractions, nerve transmissions, blood clotting, and strengthening bones and teeth. The test may be performed when investigating:

  • Bone diseases
  • Cancers of the breast, lung, neck, and kidney
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Parathyroid gland disorders
  • Thyroid gland functionality
  • Low vitamin D levels
20
Q

Hypercalcemia (High Ca Levels)

A

Elevated calcium levels may be due to:

  • Diet high in calcium or vitamin D
  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Detection of cancer
  • Overactive thyroid gland
  • Paget disease
  • Tumors producing parathyroid hormone-like substances
21
Q

Hypocalcemia (Low Ca Levels)

A

Low calcium levels may correlate with:

  • Intestinal malabsorption
  • Hypoparathyroidism
  • Kidney failure
  • Low serum albumin (A reduction in total serum calcium can result from a decrease in albumin secondary to liver disease, nephrotic syndrome, or malnutrition. Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular irritability and tetany)
  • Liver disease
  • Magnesium deficiency
  • Pancreatitis
  • Vitamin D deficiency
22
Q

Creatinine (Crea)

A

The normal reference range for creatinine is:

  • Men: 0.7 mg/dL to 1.3 mg/dL
  • Women: 0.6 mg/dL to 1.1 mg/dL

Creatinine is a chemical waste product in the blood that passes through the kidneys to be filtered and eliminated in urine. The chemical waste is a by-product of normal muscle function. The more muscle a person has, the more creatinine they produce. Levels of creatinine in the blood reflect both the amount of muscle a person has and their amount of kidney function.

23
Q

Elevated Creatinine Levels

A

Elevated creatinine levels may be due to:

  • Blocked urinary tract
  • Kidney damage, failure, or infection (renal disease)
  • Poor blood flow to the kidneys
  • Dehydration
  • Various muscle diseases (gigantism, acromegaly, muscular dystrophy)
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Shock
  • Hyperthyroidism
24
Q

Low Creatinine Levels

A 
Low levels of creatinine may be a result of:
*  Decreased muscle mass
*  Malnutrition
(protein-energy malnutrition or PEM)
* Small stature
* Advanced or severe liver disease
* During pregnancy
25
Q

Sodium

A

135 mEq/L to 145 mEq/L

Sodium is an electrolyte that assists with maintaining the body’s acid-base balance.

26
Q

Hypernatremia (High Na Levels)

A

Hypernatremia, or high blood sodium levels, may be due to:

  • Increased fluid loss as a result of excessive sweating, diarrhea, burns, or the use of diuretics
  • Problems with the adrenal glands, such as Cushing syndrome or hyperaldosteronism
  • Diabetes insipidus (kidneys unable to conserve water)
  • Diet high in salt
  • Use of laxatives or other medications
27
Q

Hyponatremia (Low Na Levels)

A

Hyponatremia, or low blood sodium levels, may correlate with:

  • Use of diuretics
  • Fluid losses from vomiting or diarrhea
  • Heart failure, kidney diseases, or cirrhosis, which may cause an increase in total body water, hence diluting blood sodium
  • Addison’s disease
  • Ketonuria (buildup of ketones in the urine)
28
Q

Albumin (Alb)

A

3.5 g/dL to 5.0 g/dL

Albumin is a protein made by the liver and is an indicator of the body’s protein stores.

Albumin is a very common protein found in the blood with a variety of functions. It also is produced only in the liver, and if its levels are lower than normal it can be suggestive of chronic liver disease or liver cirrhosis.

29
Q

Low Albumin Levels

A

Low levels of albumin may indicate kidney diseases or liver disease, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis. Low levels can also occur with:

  • Following surgery
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Diet low in protein
  • Celiac disease
  • Whipple disease
30
Q

High Albumin Levels

A

Increased albumin levels may be a result of DEHYDRATION or from a diet high in protein.

**DEHYDRATION can occur d/t inadequate water intake or fluid loss d/t severe vomiting or diarrhea; more albumin in the capillaries/blood vessels than fluid to maintain homeostasis

Thus, serum albumin levels could be elevated in individuals affected by diseases that cause dehydration

Although dehydration does not actually increase protein levels, the loss of water causes the blood to thicken, which can causes the blood components to concentrate.

31
Q

Hemoglobin (Hgb)

A

Hemoglobin, or Hgb for short, is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to cells of the body. Hemoglobin is responsible for giving the cell a red color.

The hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. This test is a good indicator of the blood’s ability to carry oxygen throughout the body.

The normal reference ranges for hemoglobin are as follows:

  • Men: 14 g/dL to 18 g/dL
  • Women: 12 g/dL to 16 g/dL
32
Q

Phosphate (Phos)

A

2.5 and 4.5 mg/dL

Hypophosphatemia is common in patients receiving parenteral nutrition. In critically ill patients, the prevalence of hypophosphatemia is greater.

When large doses of glucose are administered through PN solutions, this can stimulate the release of endogenous insulin, which can then result in the redistribution of phosphorus to the intracellular space.

Also, when there is aggressive refeeding with an excessive amount of IV glucose, this may result in a glucose-induced osmotic diuresis and increased losses of phosphorus.

33
Q

A patient’s labs show the following: low albumin, transferrin within normal limits, and high sodium. What do you suspect?

A

**Edema due to acute sodium toxicity

A patient with a diagnosis of dehydration can have a high blood sodium level. However, we need to look at the whole picture of the patient’s labs.

This patient also has a low albumin level, which could indicate low body protein stores. However, the transferrin levels are within normal limits. If transferrin levels were also decreased, this could indicate possible protein deficiency.

A dehydrated patient would show increased albumin levels due to a decrease in plasma water. Since albumin levels are low, and transferrin is within normal limits, we can rule out dehydration.

Sodium overload in the body can cause edema and result in hypoalbuminemia. Acute sodium toxicity can be a cause of this patient’s edema.

34
Q

The initial lab work of a patient who just underwent an extensive surgical procedure shows a very low prealbumin level of 9.1 mg/dL. Which other lab value would you expect to be significantly elevated?

A

The initial lab values of a very LOW prealbumin (normal range >= 20 mg/dL) and very HIGH C-reactive protein (normal range 0.0 to 0.4 mg/dL) would be consistent with an acute phase response of trauma and surgery.

C-reactive protein is a protein sythesized by the liver as part of the acute phase response and is normally elevated under these conditions.

A low prealbumin level is a good indicator of poor nutritional status. However, when prealbumin and C-reactive protein are both assessed, malnutrition may be ruled out if C-reactive protein is elevated.

35
Q

Prealbumin

A

normal range ≥ 20 mg/dL

36
Q

C-reactive Protein

A

normal range 0.0 to 0.4 mg/dL

Lab Values (1 decks)

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