Does anyone have any suggestions on how to remember all these #s?? Ive never had to emeorize so many numbers before, I have no idea how to approach this. Ive got two weeks! We need to know all the blood gasses, every value in a CBC, plus like all of these ( I just randomly copied and pasted a section from my study guide below) - I am so overwhelmed ATM >
MCV Mean corpuscular volume
size of the RBCs
80 - 95 micrometers 3
MCH Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
weight of Hg
27-31 pg
MCHC Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
Hg concentration
32-36 g/dl
RDW - RBC Distribution width %
calculation of the variation in size of your RBCs
11-14.5%
Neutrophil segs 55 - 70%
made in 7-14 days, lives only 6 hours
primary defense against bacterial infection - phagocytosis. (kill & digest bacteria)
When stimulated, immature cells enter circulation, aka bands or stabs. When you see this, its called "a shift to the left", and indicates an ongoing bacterial infection.
Lymphocytes 20-40%
primary component of body's immune system. Divided into T & B cells
T cellular immune reactions
B humoral immunity (antibody production)
lymph's fight chronic (long time) bacterial and acute (short) viral infections
Monocytes 2-8%
phagocytic like neutrophils but are made quicker and stay in circulation longer
Eosinophil 1-4%
protect the body, engulf & kill bacteria and other microbes, like parasites.
Accumulate in excess #s as part of a reaction to antigenic stimulation such as allergy, cows milk intolerance, and gluten sensitivity.
Do NOT respond to bacterial or viral infections.
Basophil
ingest foreign particles. Produce heparin and histamine (induce inflammation), often associated with asthma and allergies. Related mast cells help provide mediators to initiate immune response.
Do NOT respond to bacterial or viral infections.
Blood smear
Usually only done if a routine blood test (CBC) is abnormal. Definitively evaluates immature & abnormal cells. Some can show which antibiotic is needed.
Platelet count
vital role in clotting. Decreased= risk for bleeding. Increased= iron deficiency or malignancy
Can be tested in fluids other than blood - urine, GI fluid etc.
150,000-400,000/microliter
Sodium (lyte) 136-145 meq/L
possibly critical if less than 160
help regulate amount of water in body. Sodium passage in and out of cells is necessary for many body functions, like transmitting electrical signals in brain & muscles. Low level could be cause of profuse sweating or diuretics (excessive water loss) Check I&O.
High level can be caused by diarrhea and vomiting. Can be critical.
Potassium 3.5-5 meq/L
regulates heart beat. Low potassium = muscle weakness.
Chloride 98 -106 meq/L
assists in acid/base balance
Bicarbonate 22-26 meq/L
keeps tissues from getting too much or too little acid. kidney/lungs help balance/regulate levels of bicarbonate.
BUN blood urea nitrogen 10-20 mg/dl
indicates kidney function status. Urea is a nitrogen containing waste left from protein break down. Failing kidneys cause urea build up. Also caused by dehydration and excess bleeding. Less fluid volume = more blood components.
Creatinine male 0.6- 1.2mg/dl female 0.5-1.1 mg/dl
used along with BUN test to assess kidney function. Levels too high = kidneys aren't excreting and filtering creatinine properly. Can also be raised by dehydration and muscle damage.
Glucose 70 - 110 mg/dll
glucose levels controlled by insulin and glucagon. Low levels indicate hypoglycemia. (Symptoms = sweating, shakes, dizzy)
PT Prothrombin time 11-12.5 seconds
common cause of prolonged PT= vitamin K deficiency, hormone drugs like hormone replacements, oral contraceptives, DIC (a clotting problem) liver disease, using anti coagulant drugs like warfarin. Can also be altered by eating lots of vit. K, liver, green tea, dark veggies, soybeans.
PTT partial thromblastin time 30-40 seconds
done to determine if heparin (blood thinning) therapy is effective. Should be drawn 30-60 minutes before heparin is given.
