Lab Values and their meaning

Mommy2Maddy said:

Well, I have taken the NCLEX three times and all three times I saw the same basic lab values (I wrote down the ranges from the Saunders book). Here the are:

Potassium: 3.5-5.1

Sodium: 135-145 mEq/L

Chloride: 98-107

BUN: 5-20 mg/dL

Serum Creatinine: 0.6-1.3

Magnesium: 1.6-2.6 mg/dL

WBC: 4,500-11,000

SED Rate: 0-30 mm/hr

Total Bili:

Also, don't forget to know the normal ranges for ABGs and now what is what during metabolic and respirtatory acidosis and alkalosis!

pH: 7.35-7.45

pCO2: 35-45 mmHg

HCO3: 22-27 mEq/L

pO2: 80-100

I was also once asked about Lithium levels, so here is the information I pulled from the Saunders book about that.

0.8-1.2 mEq - therapeutic level

0.6-1.4 mEq - maintenance dose

1.0-1.5 mEq - during acute mania

> or equal to 3.5 mEq - toxic level = SEIZURE!

Hope this helps anyone who needs it. All information and values were taken DIRECTLY from the Saunders Q&A Book.

Brandi ?

Thanks so much Brandi for share all that info!! It's very helpful ?

Bori

BORI-BSNRN said:

Thanks so much Brandi for share all that info!! It's very helpful ?

Bori

No problem Bori. I had my notes right in front of me.

Brandi

I have taken the test four times. I am so confused as to which book to study. I have the saunders book and cd. Do you think that it is a good idea to study from saunders and take the hurst review in jan. I have taken it before so its free. Also what is the best way to study for medications. There are so many of them. I have time i don't plan to take the test agian until late march or early april. I really need some advise. I pull all the infomation out and i don't know where to start.

Can you tell me what is the best method to help me with test taking strategies. I have the test taking strategy book from kaplan and at the beginning of the saunders compreshensive book it tells you how to break down each questions. I have bad test taking skills. But i am willing to learn. I just don't want to use the wrong thing since there is so much out there. Also how can we study all of the medications. I need and easier way. I don't mind studying but there must be a better way. Some of those drugs that i saw on boards i have never seen in my life. Please help

Sorry I have another question. Are you using the comprehensive Saunders the new alternate format book or the q&a book. And do you answer questions from the book are the cd.

Thanks,

tahiddie

Maybe this can help you for your medication review ?

The book worked for me.

https://allnurses.com/study-meds-nclex-t330268/

I have a question, I do not have good test taking skills, I have a book by Kaplan called stages for test taking; however there are test taking skill in the front of Saunders. What do you think. Also you said to and a lot a questions well I have pharmacology success, comprehensive review and rational that comes with the book, I have the cd that comes with Kaplan. I also have the fourth edition of q&a review by Saunders and the Saunders review that goes with the 4th edition book. Also how are you studying or did you pass and what did you do different.

Yes. You are right. I also used the test taking strategies illustrated in Kaplan and Saunders.

Here's what I did ...... I’m dumb and I passed NCLEX!!!! And you can too!!! Here's how! - Nursing for Nurses

Hope it helps you ?

Can any one tell me if they have taken the hurst review for the rn boards. If so did it work and did you use any additional resources or books to study for the exam. This will be my fifth time taking the test. I have test taking stategies by kaplan, saunders, the new review and rational comprehensive review. At this point i feel confused. I have gotten advise before. But nothing is setting right in my spirit. There are so many resources. No one should have to search so hard for answers to pass this exam. And i have no idea how they expect us to remember all the medications. Help!!!!!1

Try this? ?

https://allnurses.com/praise-god-i-pass-nclex-rn-t362909/