Lab Values on NCLEX

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2005

YES, know your lab values!!

I went in and sat down at the computer to take the test .... right after I finished the tutorial and began the actual test, I took the whiteboard that was provided and wrote down all the lab values. I got that out of the way and then I just referred to that throughout the test when I needed to. That way you don't sit there and get a little mixed up when you're looking at all the different answer choices .... just refer to the noteboard and see your list of lab values, it worked great for me.

These are the lab values that I had memorized and I memorized the order of the list so I would be sure not to forget any:

calcium

chloride

magnesium

potassium

sodium

uric acid

hemoglobin

hematocrit

RBCs

WBCs

platelets

PTT

PT

INR

BUN

serum creatinine

specific gravity

cholesterol

triglycerides

HDL

LDL

TSH

T3

T4

lithium therapeutic/tox level

digoxin therapeutic/tox level

I'm sure there are many others too, but these are the ones that I felt were important to know and I had to refer to my noteboard a few times during the test.

Good luck to you!

tramalady45 · Jul 24, 2005

I just want to know if lab values are on the NCLEX. I've seen mixed answers on here about whether to know lab values.
There are so many but here are the one's I have on my index card.
Platlets
WBC
H/H
Bun
Creatinine
All electrolytes (na, k...etc)
Digoxin
Lithium
Cholesterol
PT, aPTT, INR
RBC
ABG's
Are there any I'm forgetting.
Thanks!

Strangely, I only had a few labs on my test. The one that stands out in mind was rediculous. As if it isn't bad enough that you are more nervous than you have ever been in your entire life, they slapped me with this ginormous page length scenario! I cannot remember the detail of the patient except for the fact that they mentioned he was on TPN. The question asked "of which of the following would you report to the physician" and to make it even worse, this page length nightmare of a question included a five day period of labs so you had to look at the trends and decide which you would get more excited about. There was a glucose of (these are purely examples and do not represnt the actual numbers used, but you will get the idea) 110 and it ended up at the highest point at 145. Ya-it's elevated but the guy is on TPN... next there was a WBC of 3,000 and it ended up at 9,000 then there was a hematocrit of 33%-45% and then there was sodium which started out at 150 and ended at 165. So, I chose sodium. My rational: Which is gonna kill the guy first. Glucose of a measily 145 or sodium of 165? I sat staring blankly at this question a good 7 minutes, at least. Did I get it right? Don't know still waiting for my NCLEX results, and counting for 23 days! No word yet! They didn't receive my live scan! So, I guess time will tell! Other than the aforementioned page length thing, I had a few other simple ones, the usual, potassium, and BUN. That was easy! Thats when they hit me with the page long scenario. Good luck to you!

bbcewalters, NP · Jul 24, 2005

I just took my NCLEX which I passed and I didn't have ANY labs......I think I had one ABG, but it wasn't related to the question. However I would know the major ones that everyone else has mentioned....I think I got lucky :rolleyes:

Good Luck

Bobbi

bostonnurse98 · Jul 24, 2005

My word of advice on lab values is that you know them this stage in the game. Any of the ones you don't know review and memorize. However, I would DEFINITELY know Hypo versus Hyper and what the symptoms are. I had several questions on hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia. If you know the consequences you will do just fine. Also note any lab values that correlate with certain diseases. Example: TPN= look at glc values, since it can cause hyperglycemia. Example: Take out parathyroid = calcium problems, ect. Good Luck! I'm sure you are well prepared! :)

I just took my NCLEX which I passed and I didn't have ANY labs......I think I had one ABG, but it wasn't related to the question. However I would know the major ones that everyone else has mentioned....I think I got lucky
Good Luck
Bobbi

mandrews · Jul 24, 2005

I had situational lab questions similar to pt on coumadin which labs would you check. digoxin. potassium think arrhythmia. I really only had a few but you need to have a good understanding when you go to the floor.

melissa

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2005

This just shows how totally different everyone's NCLEX is ........ it's an individualized test! I had NO questions on hyper/hypo anything. But I did have some questions that I needed to know the correct lab values of certain things.

I agree with the others that said concentrate on the lab values that you don't know, but be familiar with them all.

ManyRN2B · Jul 25, 2005

Thanks Raindreamer! I like your idea of writing them down. I would do that in school during tests if we had to know lab values. I was wondering because my friend was like DONT remember lab values but I had seen quite the opposite here. She hasn't taken her boards but from other's said, it can vary from person to person. Thanks! I pretty much have them all memorized!