What are ''significant normals'' for lab values r/t my Care Plan?

[Samian Q]

Okay, so for my peds class I have to do a concept map along with my care plan/Nursing Process Report.

It says to list abnormals as well as significant normals as well.

How do I know which labs are going to be 'significant normal' labs to consider?

For instance, the patient I'm doing my care plan on was a boy who was post-appendectomy.

The 'abnormal' lab values are WBCs, neutrophils, and AGAP.

I wrote down all the lab values, normals and abnormals alike, when I was with the patient that day. How do I decide now, of the normal lab values, which ones are 'significant' to add to my concept map?

[Nurse Lynette, BSN, RN]

Im just a student myself but perhaps i can try and help. I would think a CBC would be significant. You'd monitor the WBC (which you already have) and probably RBC, Hgb, Hct, and Plt count to monitor for blood loss. I've even seen CRPs monitored post operatively to watch for inflammation. Seeing the CRP levels drop is a good indicator that the inflammation is reducing. If your patient has alot of vomiting or something you may even see a BMP being ordered. This will tell you your NA and K levels which could be thrown off with N/V/D. Certain antibiotics may even warrant keeping an eye on the kidneys, so you would monitor the BUN, creat, and creat clearance. This is included in your BMP. Hope this helps some. I'm sure someone more knowledgable will come along! :-)

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

What labs do you feel would be important to watch in a post operative pediatric patient? Did the appendix rupture? Are there any underlying disease processes like diabetes?

Tell me what you think and we'll go from there....

[chare]

Given the patient presentation, are there are any laboratory results that you would expect to be abnormal that have either normalized, or are in the process of normalizing? While I am not completely certain, I think this is what you instructor wants you to consider “significant normal” values.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

A significant normal would be any value that is an indication of the patient's specific condition. Which lab values are related to the patient's diagnosis or procedure?

Example: A patient with anemia. Lab values related to the patient's condition might be: red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, ESR, platelet count, and iron level.

It might be helpful for you to think about it this way: "What lab values would I expect to be abnormal if there were a problem with this patient?" If any of those values are normal, that's a significant normal.