This is going to drive me to drink!

It will be obvious on the NCLEX... Like say for Hypokalemia it will say 2.6 or something like that.. So you will KNOW it is wrong...

HTH

Hey ArmyKitten,

A little off topic, but HOW do you memorize those values? Just wondering.

Thanks- I think I am just over analyzing everything right now.

How do I memorize the values? I have a huge stack of index cards. Each lab gets their own card- I have cards for everything from Na to PTT to Bilirubin. On each card I write the abbreviation in the top left corner, then the full name in the top right corner. I skip down a couple lines and write the following: normal values, critical values, then a couple lines on the purpose/pathophys of the lab.

Example:

Na.

Normal= 135 to 145 mEq/L

Critical levels=

Fxn: maintains osmotic pressure, aids in transmission of nerve impulses, etc

It will take literally HOURS to write out all those cards, but once you have the set made the hard part is done. Then take 5 at a time, memorize them and add 5 more cards the next day. Day 3= 15 cards, day 4= 20, etc...Go through the ones you have memorized twice a day, with each day adding more cards. Eventually you learn them all :)

AWESOME TIP FOR REMEMBERING LAB VALUES ARMY KITTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

do you happen to have a list of values???? per chance?????? LOL

AmyD

AWESOME TIP FOR REMEMBERING LAB VALUES ARMY KITTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great tip....thanks! I've always made flash cards; however, never thought about memorizing the information on a scheduled basis like that. Again, thanks for the insight!

I am going to copy and paste from a Word file...not sure how well this is going to turn out. The values on this are from the HESI review book and the Saunders book. It doesn't have everything, but this is a start. I don't have anything else in typed form- only note cards.

Lab Values

1)RBC 4.5-6.0 million/mm3

a.Transports hemoglobin & O2

2)Hemoglobin women: 12-16 g/dl men: 14-18 g/dl

a.Critical value 20

b.O2 transport

3)Hematocrit 40-50%

a.solid to liquid ratio, affected by hydration status

4)WBC 5-10 thousand

a.Increased bacterial infection

b.Decreased immusupression

c.Decreased viral infection

5)Platelets 200,000-400,000

a.Transfusion increased by 5,000

6)Potassium (K+) 3.5-5.0 meq

a.Intracellular transmission of impulses & acid-base balance

7)Sodium (N+) 135-145

a.Fxn osmolarity

b.

8)Chloride 90-110 meq

a.Acid-base balance & electrical neutrality

9)Bicarb 22-26

a.Acid-base balance

10)Prothrombin Time (PT)

a.Monitor coumadin

b.Antidote vitamin K

c.Teach about invasive procedures

11)Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) 1.5-2.5 times normal = therapeutic

a.Monitor heparin

b.Antidote protamine sulfate

c.Monitor for occult blood loss

d.Bleeding time = vascular & platelet fxn

12)Cholesterol

a.HDL good: higher the better

b.LDL bad: decreased the better largest part of total cholesterol

13)Cardiac Enzymes LDH

a.45-90

b.rises 12-24 hours

c.peaks 2-6 days

d.300-800 probable MI

14)Cardiac Enzymes CPK

a.60-400

b.rises 3-6 hours

c.peaks 24 hours

d.CK II (MB) 3% or 12 u/L probable MI

e.

15)BUN 8-25 mg/dl

a.Waste products of protein metabolism reflects kidney fxn, GI bleeding, hydration, tube feeding

16)Creatinine 0.6-1.3 mg/dl

a.Specifically reflects # of functional nephrons.

b.Caution with nephrotoxic medications

17)Bilirubin 0.1-1.0

a.Phototherapy for newborns

b.Jaundice after 2.5

18)ALT & AST

a.ALT

b.ALT > AST  acute hepatitis & hepatic obstruction

19)Fasting Blood Sugar 80-110: 60-110

a.2 readings > 125 on fasting indicative of diabetes mellitus

20)Glycosylated Hemoglobin 4 – 8%

a.Good diabetic control 7%

b.Long term index of blood glucose (life of RBC)

21)Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) 0.2-5.4

a.Produced by pituitary gland

b.Negative feedback loop with thyroxine

22)Thyroxine 4-12

a.Produced by thyroid gland

b.Critical value 20

23)ABG PH 7.35-7.45 Pco2 35-45 Hco3 22-26 Po2 96-100

a.Monitor acid-base balance & oxygenation

b.Kidneys & lungs involved

c.Put specimen on ice

d.Low acidic

e.High is alkalosis

24)Ammonia 35-65

a.Waste product from nitrogen breakdown during protein metabolism

b.Metabolized by liver and excreted by kidneys

c.Elevated levels result from hepatic dysfunction lead to encephalopathy

d.Indicator of hepatic coma

e.Fast except water, no smoking for 8-10 hours before test

f.Specimen on ice

25)Albumin 3.4-5

26)Calcium 8.6-10.0

a.Aids in blood clotting by converting prothrombin to thrombin

27)Magnesium 1.6-2.6

28)Phosphorus 2.7-4.5

29)CD4 T 500-1600

a.Immune system stays healthy with 500 or greater

b.Immune problems occur count is between 200-499

c.Severe immune problems with less than 200

30)Specific gravity 1.016-1.022

Therapeutic Blood Levels

1)Dilantin 10-20 mg/L

2)Digoxin 0.5-2.0 mcg/L 0.8-1.5

3)Theophylline 10-20

4)Lithium 0.6-1.2

5)Valproic Acid 50-100

6)Trough amount adequate to be effective. Draw prior to a dose

7)Peak amount below toxic level 30-60 mins after a dose

8)Amikacin Trough: 5 mcg/ml Peak: 35

9)Gentamicin Trough: 2 Peak: 10

10)Kanamycin Trough: 5 Peak: 35

11)Neomycin Trough: 2 Peak: 16

12)Streptomycin Trough: varies Peak: 25

13)Tobramycin Trough: 2 Peak: 20

14)Vancomycin Trough: 5-10 Peak: 25

Hypercalcium decreased symptoms

Hypocalcium increased symptoms

Antidotes

1)Acetaminophen acetylcysteine (mucomist)

2)Digoxin digibind

3)Opioid analgesics, heroin Nalmefene, Naloxone

Insulins

1) regular IV onset: 10-30 min peak: 15-30 min duration: 30-60 min

2) regular SC (clear) onset: 30-1 hour peak: 2-4 hours duration: 5-7 hours

3) NPH (cloudy) onset: 1-4 hours peak: 6-12 hours duration: 18-28 hours

4) Lente onset: 1-3 hours peak: 8-12 hours duration: 18-28 hours

5) Ultralente onset: 4-6 hours peak: 18-24 hours duration: 36 hours

hypoglycemia mental confusion, hallucinations, convulsions, pale, cool, clammy skin, admin oral glucose.

Hyperglycemia polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, hot, red and dry skin. Admin insulin.

Rule of 15

4 oz any juice 1 TBSP sugar in water

4oz regular sodanot better in 15 min give 15 gm of carbs & pb & cracker

8oz milk, low fat

ArmyKitten.......:kiss :yelclap: :loveya: :bowingpur :w00t::icon_hug:......Did I forget to say thank you :chuckle

This is awesome!

Thank YOU!