lab values

TangoLima · May 20, 2008

I don't have any easy way, so if anyone has any ideas I would also be eager to know.

I am a visual person, so what I do is write them all down and look for similarities. Like, normal values for potassium and albumin are similar, so I would group those together. Blood pH is 7.35 - 7.45, CO2 is 35 - 45, and Sodium is 135 - 145, so I always group those together.

Also, if I write them over and over again, I find that I can visualize the values and memorize them easier. You will have scratch paper or a dry erase board during NCLEX, so you can always jot down normal values when you get to the testing center.

My friend came up with a way to remember BUN which is 8 - 22. She says "Get your buns out of bed at 8:22." It's silly, but I will always remember the BUN normals. :lol2:

Good luck.

allnurses Guide · May 20, 2008

Depends what type of learner you are. I also find making up rhymes etc helped learn drugs and lab values.

LaceyRN · May 20, 2008

My friend came up with a way to remember BUN which is 8 - 22. She says "Get your buns out of bed at 8:22." It's silly, but I will always remember the BUN normals.
Good luck.

I LOVE IT! :yeah:

That's so creative! It reminds me of a saying my friend made up in A&P...

"I am Chief Pepsin and these are my cells."

Chief cells release pepsin for digestion :nuke:

At least I think that's how it goes...it's been 2.5 years already since A&P!

WDWpixieRN, RN · May 25, 2008

I made index cards and have had them taped to my bathroom mirror for 3 semesters now, lol. THere's some obscure ones that haven't been emphasized much (AST/ALT/ALP, whatever) and I couldn't tell you those, but the big ones I know like the back of my hand.

Now as to what incorrect values mean, I'm still a bit vague on some of them and can't help ya' there!!! :bugeyes:

rn2bn07, BSN, RN · May 27, 2008

Does anyone have an easy way to remember labs for NCLEX?:bowingpur

When I took the Nclex-RN, I had studied so hard to remember all the labs and not one lab question was on my test. I would suggest to study the main labs such as, CBC,lytes, and Blood gases. But don't overdo it trying to remember them all. Chances are you may not have any lab questions on the test, but again its different for everybody. Good Luck:wink2:

WindyhillBSN · May 28, 2008

I make up silly rhymes that really only mean something to me.........for example- For CK I say Calvin Klein was 26 when he made 174 garments. It's not true but it helps me remember. Lab value = 26-174.:chuckle

Nurseismade RN · May 31, 2008

Does anyone have an easy way to remember labs for NCLEX?:bowingpur

lyndseyER

here is a one way I found useful, however on the nclex i must say the focus on my test was more on prioritization, critical thinking and teaching. glad to say I did pass w/75q. last year.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/cute-way-remember-some-lab-values-136453.html

all the best to you....:)

ps always look in the search box for any topic

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · May 31, 2008

Straight memorization through repetition and recall. I don't want to remember labs for NCLEX, I want to remember them for life.