Understanding lab values c Diagnosis

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Specializes in Nurse Tech.Nursing Student.

I really have to brush up on my lab values. I have a page full that I have to know. So what I'm going to do is make flash cards to study but I need to know how to put this together with the Diagnosis. Can someone help explain this too me. I was studying Saunders last night and all I was thinking is to know the ranges and thats all. I didn't think to put the Diagnosis with this as well. :bugeyes:

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

Are you asking how to put a diagnosis with a lab value? I personally think it will be a very tedious process to that, because so many conditions go with a specific lab value. It will also help for you to actually learn the disease processes and the physiology behind them, when you do this it will be easier to understand why a certain lab value is associated with it.

Unless you are very good at cramming (I am not) and you have very little time left for the NLCEX, I truly think you should study to comprehend. This will also help when you start working as a nurse.

Example:

Hyponatremia means low Na levels. Normal values are between 135-145 (this is a general range, some books may have it slightly higher or lower). So, if your Na levels drop below 135, you know the patient is hyponatremic. Now the next question you should ask yourself is what caused the drop? is it because they are drinking lots of water? Retaining fluids? On diuretics? not taking enough Na in their diet? NPO? Remember, low sodium is either dilutional or just plain out low. That is, in a patient retaining tons of fluids they will have a dilutional hyponatremia. Look at it this way, if you put a spoon full of salt in a 3oz cup of water it will be less diluted than if you put it in a gallon of water. The gallon will have low Na levels, as opposed to the 30z cup. Makes sense? So, if you have a patient with CHF (fluid overload=gallon of water) they are likely to have low Na levels.

I don't know if my explanation made sense, I have never been too good at explaning concepts to people (teachers rock!), but the point I was trying to make was that it is best for you to really study electrolytes and understand it before you start considering doing flash cards. On the other hand, we all learn differently, so if you really think that is a better way for you to learn, then go for it. Good luck

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Specializes in NICU.

It's not a test in which you can cram/memorize. It's about using your "critical thinking skills".

Take what you know and apply it.

Honestly, I would just know your normal values. That's what I did ..... I memorized all the normal values, then went from there.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in none.

I think you are making this harder than it meeds to be. I agree with raindreamer....know the norms and you should be able to answer the questions.;)

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Specializes in Nurse Tech.Nursing Student.

Thanks!!!! Everyone for the advice I really appriciate it and I'm not trying to make this hard it's just like learning a foreign language sometimes.Well thats how it was in Nursing School for me but thanks alot. Being as though I never was in the Medical Field but great.

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Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.

There is a thread about facts for lab values you need for NCLEX. However, it is not all inclusive and I would focus more on know the norms and be able to know basics of how the labs relate to the client.:bugeyes: Very tedious studying for this exam.

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I have tested 3 times, and the lab values weren't all that out of the normal, for example potassium is 3.5-5, out of range or abnormal on the NCLEX may look like 3.2 or 5.5...something like that. or for na, which is 135-145 normal, on the NCLEX abnormal may look like 131 or 148, something along those lines. just know the basic labs, i would concentrate more on prioritization and delegation and infection control, the patho for certain disease (i.e endocrine disorders, resp disorders) and focus more on study questions like who would you see first, return phone call first, phone message 1st, assess first from a group. hope this helps. also look over med classifications. best of luck to you.

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Specializes in Nurse Tech.Nursing Student.

Thanks alot for your advice!!!!!!!!! I'll do just that.

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to > love-d-or

I know this is a way old post, but still I would like to say; that is a great way to put "hyponatremia" I found that so easily understood. Now, would you mind writing a little something like that for all the other diseases/dx.

Ok, it was just a thought, but nicely put.

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

Thanks HCSTEWART, I guess I'm not as bad of a teacher as I assumed I was ?

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