Lab values for nclex 2015

[Eliza Monty BSN-RN]

Hello Everyone,

Am getting conflicting lab values from most reviews, after going through previous posts on lab values for nclex prep on this website I checked and its like even NCSBN change lab values almost every year.

I want to ask recent nclex rn takers, which book review did you use for lab values?

Thanks for your response.

[loveSBK]

I used ATI (our school offered us a review on our last semester) and I used that as my reference. But NCLEX will give you questions based on lab values that are way off, they won't give you for example potassium 3.2 when some books may tell you that that's normal. It will always be a lot off. So I wouldn't worry about that too much. Just compile a list and just study it.

[Eliza Monty BSN-RN]

thanks loveSBK, I will probably stick with saunders

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

When I tested the lab values were obvious. Like K+ of 7, Na of 100, glucose 42, CO2 of 65.

[Eliza Monty BSN-RN]

So its just good to stick to one and not be distracted by what I see elsewhere, Thanks Justbeachynurse

[kalycat, BSN, RN]

I tested 2/2 and I agree with what everyone else has stated. Also, in my experience, the lab questions used labs that are very common and frequently used, like K+, platelets, WBC, spc gravity, etc. I didn't have any tricky or off the wall labs. That said....they have a huge bank of questions to choose from, so I'm sure there are some obscure ones out there!! I too noticed the conflict and stuck with ATI values, since that was the prep software included with my program. Good luck!! You won't feel wonderful when you walk out, more than likely, but that is the nature of the test. It's intended to be an equalizer and establish safe, entry level practice. For some reason, keeping that mantra in mind really helped me focus. Don't panic yourself in to a frenzy -- when the screen turns blue and the test is done, you've done your part and you can't change your answers. I hope it goes great!!

[VikkiRN2B]

From what I understand the lab values will either be closer to the normal range (e.g. sodium of 125-135) if the patient is normal, or way off if the patient isn't. (e.g. sodium of 140).

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

From what I remember of my NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN the lab values were way off. So I'd just know the normal range (+/-) and go from there.