What Lab Values to Memorize for NCLEX

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology.

Several posts have stated to memorize lab values.

I'm wondering which lab values. Naturally, I know to learn RBC, WBC, Platelets, and normal ABG chemistries/values -----but I'm wondering what other (of the hundreds!) I should memorize?

Thanks for your help.

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Several posts have stated to memorize lab values.

I'm wondering which lab values. Naturally, I know to learn RBC, WBC, Platelets, and normal ABG chemistries/values -----but I'm wondering what other (of the hundreds!) I should memorize?

Thanks for your help.

I think you pretty much hit them: blood values (including PTT and PT, INR), urinalysis, ABGs. Anything that if it came back on a patient in your care would clue you in that there was something abnormal.

I can't recall more than that!

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I think you're on the right track as well. Most NCLEX review books should have a table for some of the more common lab tests.

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Saunders 3rd edition, Chapter 11 has an excellent lecture on lab values. If you have this book, you can check it out. Good Luck!!!:studyowl:

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.

i wouldn't worry about it if i were you. if you get a question with lab values, you will probably be able to answer the question based on the other info anyway. i don't think i had any labs but for one abg, and the answer wasn't based on the values at all.

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.

I know you are trying to know everything in preparing for the Nclex, but you just can't! You graduated from a nsg program......just remember what you were taught in school. The labs should be the common ones & you will be able to pick out the abnormal ones....if in fact you even get any questions on this. I just took it & only had one lab..... & it was very obvious it was way out of line. Good Luck!

BTW... I would suggest you do Saunders it is great for content & finding your weak areas!! Then the Kaplan CD trainer just puts it all together.

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i agree with everyone else. i only got maybe 2 or 3 lab questions. also exam cram has a great pull out sheet with lab values on it. i can't and still can't remember all of the values just the overly used ones.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology.

What is the Kaplan CD Trainer ? I'm taking the Kaplan Online Review. Are the "7 Tests" the same as the CD Trainer.

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Specializes in Clinical exp in OB, psy, med-surg, peds.
What is the Kaplan CD Trainer ? I'm taking the Kaplan Online Review. Are the "7 Tests" the same as the CD Trainer.

Yes it is, the 7 trainers are the same trainers on the CD. All the best.

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serum electrolytes seem to come up alot such as potassium..

i think certain drugs with narrow theraputic windows would be good to such as digoxin, vancomycin, and lithium

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Joanna Mcnurse...did u pay for the kaplan q bank? how is it going?

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