Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

Help memorizing Lab values???

In med surg, I have to memorize lab values (i.e. BMP, CBC, Lipid Panel, etc) and i'm having a hard time memorizing each of them, especially when the values are so similar.

My biggest problem right now is the differences in the BMP, Sodium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium, all so similar and really killing my brain.

If anybody has any suggestions on how to memorize them? or maybe some mnemonics? I bought a Lab values made incredibly easy book, but it won't come in for a week or so and I have a test tuesday!

anything will help!!!

Featured Replies

I can help you with some of them! Sodium - The price of table salt is approximately $1.35 and $1.45 (Na+ 135-145 normal range)

Magnesium - "M" is 1/2 way through the alphabet ... (M is 1.5-2.5 normal range)

Calcium - the weather in California is between 89 and 101 degrees (Ca+ 8.9-10.1 normal range)

Potassium - Kermit the frog is about 4 years old (K+ 3.5-5.5 normal range)

Red Blood cells - about "5", then multiply by 3 and you get about "15" for Hemoglobin, multiply by another 3 and you get about "45" for Hematocrit

Hope these help a little bit! :)

i need help with the exact same thing! sooo many numbers :bugeyes:

WOW after reading this I was able to retain it with no problen...now when I get to this point i should have no issues thank you

I can help you with some of them! Sodium - The price of table salt is approximately $1.35 and $1.45 (Na+ 135-145 normal range)

Magnesium - "M" is 1/2 way through the alphabet ... (M is 1.5-2.5 normal range)

Calcium - the weather in California is between 89 and 101 degrees (Ca+ 8.9-10.1 normal range)

Potassium - Kermit the frog is about 4 years old (K+ 3.5-5.5 normal range)

Red Blood cells - about "5", then multiply by 3 and you get about "15" for Hemoglobin, multiply by another 3 and you get about "45" for Hematocrit

Hope these help a little bit! :)

I can help you with some of them! Sodium - The price of table salt is approximately $1.35 and $1.45 (Na+ 135-145 normal range)

Magnesium - "M" is 1/2 way through the alphabet ... (M is 1.5-2.5 normal range)

Calcium - the weather in California is between 89 and 101 degrees (Ca+ 8.9-10.1 normal range)

Potassium - Kermit the frog is about 4 years old (K+ 3.5-5.5 normal range)

Red Blood cells - about "5", then multiply by 3 and you get about "15" for Hemoglobin, multiply by another 3 and you get about "45" for Hematocrit

Hope these help a little bit! :)

Do you have anymore of these? They're great.

I can help you with some of them! Sodium - The price of table salt is approximately $1.35 and $1.45 (Na+ 135-145 normal range)

Magnesium - "M" is 1/2 way through the alphabet ... (M is 1.5-2.5 normal range)

Calcium - the weather in California is between 89 and 101 degrees (Ca+ 8.9-10.1 normal range)

Potassium - Kermit the frog is about 4 years old (K+ 3.5-5.5 normal range)

Red Blood cells - about "5", then multiply by 3 and you get about "15" for Hemoglobin, multiply by another 3 and you get about "45" for Hematocrit

Hope these help a little bit! :)

Those are AWESOME! I'm starting Med-Surg this week and I know I will be needing these! Thanks in advance!

Ashley

My two cents -- don't just memorize it. KNOW IT. Just like you KNOW the normal HR, B/P, RR, Temp, etc. that should be your goal for lab values. This is probably one of the reasons we have to obtain all of the lab values for our patients and turn it in as part of the clinical worksheet. When you see and read and write something enough times it sticks with you. Read it. Write it. Read it. Write it. Read it and write it in different ways. I personally find this method more helpful than mnemonics but everyone is different. Anyway, it's worth a try if you fancy.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Add a Comment

Currently Reading 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.