Nursing Lecture: Common Lab Values for NCLEX Exam

Introduction

• Presenter: Sarah Thruster, Nurse @ Orion Comm
• Topic: Review of key lab values essential for the NCLEX exam and nursing practice.
• Importance: Lab values are frequently tested on the NCLEX since they are critical in patient care.
• Resource: A free quiz available to test knowledge on lab values.

Key Lab Types

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
   • Assesses blood cells: RBCs, WBCs, platelets.
2. Arterial Blood Gases (ABG's)
   • Evaluates acid-base balance, especially in respiratory/metabolic issues.
3. Metabolic Panels
   • Basic (BMP) or Comprehensive (CMP).
   • Assesses fluid/electrolyte status, renal function, and potentially liver function.
4. Coagulation Levels
   • Important for patients on anticoagulants like warfarin or heparin.
5. Lipid Panels
   • Assesses cardiovascular disease risk.
6. Drug Levels
   • Monitors therapeutic levels for drugs with narrow safety margins.

Common Lab Values

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

• RBC Range: 4.5 to 5.5 million.
• WBC Range: 5,000 to 10,000.
• Platelets: 150,000 to 400,000.
  • Thrombocytopenia: Platelets < 150,000.
  • Leukopenia: WBC < 5,000.
• Hemoglobin & Hematocrit
  • Females: Hemoglobin 12-16 g/dL, Hematocrit 37-47%.
  • Males: Hemoglobin 14-18 g/dL, Hematocrit 42-52%.

Coagulation Levels

• PT/INR for Warfarin
  • Normal PT: 10-12 seconds.
  • Normal INR: <1.
  • Therapeutic INR (Warfarin): 2-3.
• aPTT for Heparin
  • Normal aPTT: 30-40 seconds.
  • Therapeutic aPTT (Heparin): 60-80 seconds.

Metabolic Panel

• Glucose: 70-100 mg/dL.
• Calcium: 8.5-10.5 mg/dL.
• Electrolytes:
  • Chloride: 95-105 mEq/L.
  • Magnesium: 1.5-2.5 mg/dL.
  • Phosphorus: 2.5-4.5 mg/dL.
  • Potassium: 3.5-5 mEq/L.
  • Sodium: 135-145 mEq/L.
• Renal Function
  • BUN: 5-20.
  • Creatinine: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL.
• Liver Function
  • Total Protein: 6.2-8.2 g/dL.
  • Albumin: 3.4-5.4 g/dL.
  • ALP: 40-120 U/L.
  • ALT: 7-56 U/L.
  • AST: 10-40 U/L.
• Bilirubin: <1 mg/dL.

Lipid Panel

• LDL: <100 mg/dL.
• HDL: >60 mg/dL.
• Total Cholesterol: <200 mg/dL.
• Triglycerides: <150 mg/dL.

Arterial Blood Gases (ABG's)

• pH: 7.35-7.45 (Acidic <7.35, Alkaline >7.45).
• PCO2: 35-45 mmHg (Acidic >45, Alkaline <35).
• HCO3 (Bicarb): 22-26 mEq/L (Acidic <22, Alkaline >26).
• PO2: 80-100 mmHg.
• O2 Saturation: 95-100%.

Hemoglobin A1C

• Non-diabetic: 4-6%.
• Diabetic Target: <7%.

Common Drug Levels

• Digoxin: 0.5-2 ng/mL.
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol): 4-10 µg/mL.
• Dilantin: 10-20 µg/mL.
• Theophylline: 10-20 µg/mL.
• Phenobarbital: 15-40 µg/mL.
• Lithium: 0.5-1.2 mmol/L.
• Valproic Acid (Depakote): 50-100 µg/mL.

Conclusion

• Review these lab values regularly to ensure familiarity.
• Quiz available to reinforce learning and prepare for NCLEX.
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