Lab values for this course are taken from the rush medical laboratory rush university medical center, 2012. They are infrequently measured in clinical settings, and when they are it is usually in intensivecritical care units. Electrolytes are minerals that are found in body tissues and blood in the form of dissolved salts. Fluid and electrolyte balance is a dynamic process that is crucial for life and homeostasis. As electrically charged particles, electrolytes help move nutrients into and wastes out of the bodys cells, maintain a healthy water balance, and help stabilize the bodys acidbase level. Remember, normal values may vary according to techniques used in different laboratories. The normal range of phosphate in the plasma is generally between 0. Inside, find practical approaches to the interpretation of abnormal lab tests. Includes differential diagnoses, stepbystep approaches, and algorithms, all designed to answer your lab test questions in a flash. Values for a lowsodium diet are three to five times higher.
Although a phosphate imbalance isnt as well known as some of the other imbalances, it can still cause problems with your patients condition. Their measured values are not diagnostic of any disease in and of. Laboratory value tests are one factor in determining the overall health of our patients. Interpretation of lab and basic diagnostic tests duration. Laboratory tests interpretation nurses learning network. Interpretation and assessment journal of infusion nursing, novemberdecember 2016 the ongoing controversy. Academy of acute care physical therapy american physical therapy association task force on lab values took on the mission of updating the laboratory values interpretation resource to better accommodate practitioners needs. Remember that there is some variation in ranges based on the laboratory, so be aware of the normal ranges for your facility. Potassium replacement protocol intravenous recommended rate of infusion is 10 meqh. In this section of the nclexrn examination, you will be expected to demonstrate your knowledge and skills of laboratory values in order to. Laboratory tests reference ranges 1,25dihydroxyvitamin d 1,25dihydroxycholecalciferol, serum see vitamin d metabolites 17hydroxyprogesterone, serum female, follicular. The tests in a clinical chemistry laboratory measure concentrations of.
Evaluation of labs by nursing staff is a critical function. The course lists common diagnostic and lab tests and values in an. Pdf interpreting laboratory values in older adults. Lab test are integral to patient care and depend on cooperation and support of ward staff for accurate and timely interpretation of the results. Osmolality creates osmotic pressure and thus affects movement. The lab values course will help you understand how to interpret some of the most common and most important laboratory values you might see in your patients. Remember, normal values may vary according to techniques used in different. Com is presenting a series of courses on lab values. The book includes a brief introduction followed by charts including 63 important lab values with their units, normal ranges, and abbreviations. Fluid and electrolytes in adult parenteral nutrition by. Introduction to lab values and normal ranges youtube. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Well even walk you through how to draw blood in the right order and how to easily. Electrolytes test normal value function significance sodium na 4143 mmoll increased in cushings syndrome potassium k 3.
Values took on the mission of updating the laboratory values interpretation. Academy of acute care physical therapy apta task force. This course book is intended solely for individual use, and not for the benefit of providing. The number of particles in a solution by mass mosmkg. Apart from memorizing lab values as well as the signs and symptoms of having electrolyte imbalances, you also have to know how to interpret the values and create a nursing care plan for your patients condition. Likewise, it is important to understand the significance of trends in the values over time1. Fluid occupies almost 60% of the weight of an adult body fluid is located in two fluid compartments. Osmolality is used more so than osmolarity in a clinical setting. Selected normal pediatric laboratory values all laboratory values listed are approximate. Phosphate, or p, is an electrolyte used in several functions throughout the body.
Common electrolytes imbalances, normal range, disturbances. Diagnostic and laboratory tests are tools that provide invaluable insights and information about the patient. Lab tests are used to help confirm a diagnosis, monitor an illness, and the patients response to treatment. Electrolyte panels might change with intravenous infusions. In copd, may indicate polycythemia, a compensation for pulmonary dysfunction that makes blood thicker, and increases risk of cva, etc. Information on normal laboratory values adapted from. If you have a health question, please read about signs and symptoms before our conversation this is a brief summary of lab value interpretation and is not intended in any way to be comprehensive.
Reference values intervals for blood, urine, csf, stool, and other fluids eg, gastric acid and commonly used panels are included. Common lab values, electrolyte values, sodium, potassium. An lpn should understand the rationale for conducting specific diagnostic and laboratory tests when delivering care, as well as the implications of the results of those tests. Fluids and electrolytes nursing care management and study. Laboratory tests interpretation by nurses reasearch publication continuing education 2001. Consult your local laboratory for guidelines as to normal values for the specific testing procedures used. Common analytes clinical chemistry is the branch of laboratory medicine that focuses primarily on molecules. This concise, organized guide fits easily in a coat pocket, providing you with the tools necessary to tackle even the most challenging. What has been preserved in the fifth edition are the same chapter topics. Strong electrolytes strong acids, strong bases, soluble ionic compounds weak electrolytes weak acids, weak bases, insoluble ionic compounds non electrolytes molecular or covalent compounds procedure. The task force consisted of physical therapists from across the country in various acute care settings. The lpn lab values manual was first compiled in response to a lack of. Knowing the different normal lab values is an important step in making an informed clinical decision as a nurse.
The electrolyte panel measures the blood levels of the main electrolytes in the body. This book should be of help to nursing in understanding some of the more common tests which are conducted. Reference values vary based on several factors, including the demographics of the healthy population from which specimens were obtained and the specific methods andor. The urine electrolytes sodium, potassium and chloride are principally used as nutritional indicators in healthy persons. Half of the lab in pairs will measure electrolytes while the other half again in pairs. Introduction the renal system is a system which is composed of two kidneys, two ureters, one bladder and one urethra. Daviss comprehensive handbook of laboratory and diagnostic. Laboratory values use this handy cheatsheet to help you monitor laboratory values related to fluid and electrolyte status. Interpreting chemistry and hematology for adult patients. Physical therapists should not rely exclusively on a single laboratory finding. Studying fluid and electrolytes is ridiculously hard and theres no denying that. Finally, in many of the chapters the cases have been updated or changed.
The reference values provided in these tables should be used as guidelines only. Electrolyte imbalances and lab values made easy with kendall wyatt md, rn duration. Regulation of water and electrolyte such as chloride. Laboratory values see inside back cover for continuation. Lab values and their meanings forward the laboratory services are very pleased to see this report. Normal laboratory values merck manuals professional edition. Electrolytes, serum sodium 6145 meql 6145 mmoll potassium 3. The charts are followed by a brief description for each individual value including. Although the reports we receive often indicate high or low values, understanding the true meaning of these values in the context of the patients condition, history and other factors is critical to safe care of the patient. Cr ratio, mg frequent cause of hyponatremia siadh, prerenal azotemia and dysfunction, electrolyte loss due to diuretic and natriuretic therapy anticoagulant labs inr as appropriate concomitant atrial fibrillation inr 23 x control. Introduction a variety of laboratory tests are done in the neonatal period on a routine basis, many as pointofcare testing.
The osmolality of iv fluids, plasma, urine are used to help paint a picture of volume status in a patient. As the components of the renal system the kidneys have the following functions. Well break them down by body system and help you understand how the numbers you see in the chart relate to whats actually happening to your patient. Identify laboratory values for abgs ph, po2, pco2, sao2, hco3, bun, cholesterol total glucose, hematocrit, hemoglobin, glycosylated. The medical interpretation of a test result is based on comparison to a. Laboratory values free heres a handy table to help you monitor laboratory values related to fluid and electrolyte status and understand related nursing implications. Interpretation of clinical laboratory tests date fluid electrolyte, bun, creatinine, bun. For many tests, the normal ranges will vary depending on age, gender. Click here to contact me with questions about your laboratory results i do not volley emails back and forth because it is just too time consuming to keep track of who is responding to what email. Use the drop down menu below to jump to a specific section.
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