Labs and NCLEX

I have a question. When I studied for tests for school I used one book that had specific lab values in it. Now studying for NCLEX the books I see are not the exact numbers I know. What do you do? Do I use what I know or which numbers. I know when your read labs the normals are listed because each laboratory used different numbers but for the BIG TEST what do I put in my head and how do I remember them?

THey should be pretty similar in value, and on the test the abnormal value would be pretty far outside the range to make is sure to be abnormal. Does that make sense? I would really not spend much time on labs or worrying about values. It is such a small part of the test and I am focusing on bigger concepts.

I memorized the saunders version. I had multiple scenarios on the NCLEX with lab values in it and on the blood gases there were one or two that were just barely off but those were easy to figure out since the blood gases dont change from text to text generally. Using the saunders version I did well enough to pass the NCLEX first time around, THANK GOD. Just my experience though.

Christina:D

hi, that's so true!!I know what you mean, different books have different values... but i think the best thing to do is find one particular book, memorize that and forget the rest! i mean, nclex won't be giving you values that are in close proximity of the normal value, usually it would be very obvious and you'e be able to spot it right away. i took the exam already, and unfortunately i didn't even have any normal or abormal lab values there... but i passed at 75.

I dont think I had any lab values on my Nclex. I did kind of know the ranges though just in case. Mine shut off at 75 but I swear I think I got the dumby test as it was not that hard. Worst case scenerio you get a couple of lab questions dont sweat it, you have 73 other chances to prove yourself!!