You are responsible for knowing the basics and their ranges. You can get quesitons based on them.

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: <1.5 mg/dL

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

Originally Posted by Mommy2Maddy

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: <1.5 mg/dL

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

Originally Posted by BORI-BSNRN

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

lab values are encompassed in alot of nclex questions and you need to know the basics im not sure what will be on ure axam but i had them down for mine and if u PM me with your email adress ill send them to you