My school has not yet recommended a book that will help us interpret diagnostics and laboratory values. I have looked at several lab books on amazon.com and vitalsource.com. Many of them list the lab values and then relate medical conditions with low values and high values. My question is this:
Is there a good book for lab values that give more than these two items (ranges & medical conditions which relate to low and high values)? I am seeking a lab book which is for students / beginners. For example, is there a book in which if there is a particular abnormal value, then it will give us an algorithm as a guide?
I have been using Mosby's manual of laboratory and diagnostic tests. It doesn't give you an algorithm but it gives you normal findings, indications, a long explanation about the test itself and different reasons for using it, interfering factors like meds that will increase or decrease values, procedure and patient care before/during/after test results and clinical significance (differential diagnosis) and related tests. Also are contraindications, potential complications........The appendixes have them arranged a few ways like by alphabetical, body system, a list of disease and organ panels.
I too am very curious about what program you are in, we covered patho and labs, sensitivity and specificity in the first semester of our program....it was the weed out class.
What school do you go to? I am just an RN and know at least the basic interventions for most common labs including the ones I listed. I just don't understand how you could be a provider without being taught what a first year med student or slightly experienced RN knows.
This is totally the point. Since when does "advanced nursing practice" leave out the part of having had some actual nursing practice in the first place?
Yes, I know there are direct-entry NP programs for people who haven't yet learned enough nursing to know what ought to occur with a low H&H, but really now ...
As as to the OP's question, I strongly recommend Joyce Lefever Kee's Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests with Nursing Implications to help any nurse or student at any level learn to do his/her job.
Did you have in depth lab value interpretation taught at your program?
I would know what to do with a patient with an Hgb of 4. But she asked what to do for someone who has that value. Although we didn't have a course that was dedicated to "lab values" only, we were expected to study these. Our exams in school were all difficult and so i studied these lab values on my own (because i was too worried to fail). She also said she didnt know what CRP or ESR or others would mean to her. Even though I am a new grad, i know what those labs would mean to me.
That's all. I guess NP programs are all different... I don't necessarily think that is a good thing though.
I have been receiving a "tapatalk error" so I apologize for the inability to quote messages.
I'd like to say that our first semester FNP instructor covered lab interpretation very well. I would not call it "in-depth". But OP stated that she wouldn't know what an Hgb of 4 would mean to her. ESR and CRPs, although non-specific, should give a you a clue on what to do next.
So i am just wondering. I guess NP schools are all different. But i don't nessecarily think that's a good thing though.
I have been receiving a "tapatalk error" so I apologize for the inability to quote messages.
I'd like to say that our first semester FNP instructor covered lab interpretation very well. I would not call it "in-depth". But OP stated that she wouldn't know what an Hgb of 4 would mean to her. ESR and CRPs, although non-specific, should give a you a clue on what to do next.
So i am just wondering. I guess NP schools are all different. But i don't nessecarily think that's a good thing though.
OP I really hope the best for you. But the fact that you are 6 months from graduation and don't know the very easy handful of mostly non specific labs I listed really scares me. I could probably rattle off another 50 more that most ICU RNs should know including interventions. Might I suggest a residency program when you graduate? I would not feel safe to practice if I were you.
This is why I am leery of for profit schools like Chamberlain. The school I am attending has a dedicated diagnostics class just for this reason.
What school do you go to? I am just an RN and know at least the basic interventions for most common labs including the ones I listed. I just don't understand how you could be a provider without being taught what a first year med student or slightly experienced RN knows.
I also know what basic interventions are. But at a nurse practitioner level, I feel that we should be able to critically think when looking at lab values. For example, just by looking at a lab value, one should be able to diagnose anemia. There are many things like this that NPs should know. My preceptor, who is a physician, sits down with me and evaluates the daily labs that we get from the lab company. He is able to interpret them at a higher level than I. I would like to be able to critically think about the lab levels also. This level of thinking should be beyond diagnosing hyperkalemia or hyponatremia. For example, we should be able to think what is the underlying reason the patient has these conditions rather than stopping at hyperkalemia and just treating it.
I have been using Mosby's manual of laboratory and diagnostic tests. It doesn't give you an algorithm but it gives you normal findings, indications, a long explanation about the test itself and different reasons for using it, interfering factors like meds that will increase or decrease values, procedure and patient care before/during/after test results and clinical significance (differential diagnosis) and related tests. Also are contraindications, potential complications........The appendixes have them arranged a few ways like by alphabetical, body system, a list of disease and organ panels.
I too am very curious about what program you are in, we covered patho and labs, sensitivity and specificity in the first semester of our program....it was the weed out class.
I did look at this book through Amazon.com preview feature, and I think that is the book I will end up buying. It's very comprehensive. I attend Chamberlain's college of nursing.
Jules A, MSN
8,864 Posts
Did you have in depth lab value interpretation taught at your program?