Any suggestions on a manual of laboratory and diagnostic tests?

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I have to purchase a manual, but I'm hoping to hear some reviews (good and bad) before I make my decision. All suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks

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One of the mantraes of nursing school is: "Follow your hospital's policy!". This is certainly true of laboratory values and diagnostic tests. Most of the time your nursing program will give you the normal ranges for the laboratory values and diagnostic tests.

Personally I suggest that you save yourself the money and go to this website:

Lab Tests Online: Welcome!

I use this site all the time for my clinical and nursing classes.

The other suggestion I have is to write down the values that your program deems as normal on a couple of notecards. Create one for clinical, lab, and lecture and keep it with you at all times. This helped me to learn the values and keep them fresh in my mind.

Hope this helps!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
One of the mantraes of nursing school is: "Follow your hospital's policy!". This is certainly true of laboratory values and diagnostic tests. Most of the time your nursing program will give you the normal ranges for the laboratory values and diagnostic tests.

Personally I suggest that you save yourself the money and go to this website:

Lab Tests Online: Welcome!

I use this site all the time for my clinical and nursing classes.

The other suggestion I have is to write down the values that your program deems as normal on a couple of notecards. Create one for clinical, lab, and lecture and keep it with you at all times. This helped me to learn the values and keep them fresh in my mind.

Hope this helps!

Lab tests online is a great resource

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Labcorp and Quest both have online databases that you can freely access under 'provider'. Listed by test, diagnosis , symptoms. Includes acceptable specimen, collection tips and reference ranges.

ARUP is a major receiving lab (association of regional university pathologists I think is what it still stands for) also has a free iPhone/iPad/iPod touch app that is a great resource.

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I always recommend an actual book, the classic Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests with Nursing Implications by Joyce Lefever Kee. Especially when you're learning or new, or encountering a test that's new to you, the way she discusses the nursing implications of the labs, preps, and results is hugely helpful. Great resource -- it's on my desk right now.

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