Help with Lab results

[mom25]

I started this clinicals and need help with the lab results. I was wondering if anyone had a book that might tell me not only what the norms are but what it might mean if the results were elevated or low. I am really struggling on what each out of range lab value might equate. Thanks so much for any advice!

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

The normals depend upon your hospital's lab. You can google for general ranges. What labs are you asking about, specifically?

[mom25]

I was trying (ie struggling) with my Functional Health Patterns and I wanted a book or quick reference that allowed me to get an idea of what a high CBC values or BUN or Creatinine would mean in the long run to the patient. I can figure out what the lab result is within range but that doesn't really tell me what exactly that tests for and what the number might mean for the patient. I guess in a round about way I need Lab tests for dummies or something along that line.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

see these websites:

• medicine net procedures & tests a to z index http://www.medicinenet.com/procedures_and_tests/article.htm
  
• web md index list of tests http://www.webmd.com/a_to_z_guide/medical_tests.htm
  
• lab tests online http://www.labtestsonline.org/
  
• http://library.med.utah.edu/webpath/webpath.html - the internet pathology laboratory for medical education
  
• also see the "tests" link in the a.d.a.m. illustrated health encyclopedia http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/index.htm
  

[AugustRain]

Have you looked in the appendix of your med surg text? Mine has a chart with a column for normal lab values, along with columns for what the highs and lows may indicate.

[I'mANurse!]

Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests by Pagana.

Awesome book. Info about every type of lab and diagnostic test, from procedure, normals, significance of abnormal values!

[rachelgeorgina]

Have you looked in the appendix of your med surg text? Mine has a chart with a column for normal lab values, along with columns for what the highs and lows may indicate.

Mine has this. I've got Lewis's Medical-Surgical Nursing by Brown & Edwards

[mom25]

Thank you so very much! As you can tell I am suffering from a huge lack of sleep by reading my first post. I am in my first month of clinicals and I am feeling so out of sorts. I will check a med surg book that I got at a yard sale and see if it is in there, if not I will get the Mosby book you recommended. Thanks so much!

Daytonite thank you for the web sites, they will come in super handy. You guys are the BEST!!

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

labtestsonline is a good quick reference but if you want a book with nursing implications, they do make them.