Lab Values Podcast by NURSING.com (Nursing Podcast, normal lab values for nurses for NCLEX®) by NURSING.com (NRSNG)

Sep 27, 2023

Normal
<150 mg/dL

Indications

• Evaluate for:
  • Elevated triglycerides
  • Risk for atherosclerotic heart disease and stroke

Description
Triglycerides (TG) are required to provide energy during the metabolic process, excess triglycerides are stored in adipose tissue.

What would cause increased levels?

• Myocardial...

Sep 25, 2023

Normal
135-145 mEq/L

Indications

• Monitor:
• Extracellular osmolality
• Electrolyte imbalance

Description
Sodium (Na+) is the most abundant cation in extracellular fluid. Sodium aids in osmotic pressure, renal retention and excretion of water, acid-base balance, regulation of other cations and anions in the body. Sodium...

Sep 20, 2023

Normal
3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L

Indications

• Evaluate:
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
• Monitor patients who are:
  • Acidotic
  • Receiving diuretic therapy

Description

Potassium (K+) is the most abundant intracellular cation and plays a vital role in the transmission of electrical impulses in cardiac and skeletal...

Sep 18, 2023

Normal
25 - 35 seconds

Indications

• Detection of coagulation disorders
• Evaluate response to Heparin (PT for Coumadin)
• Preoperative assessment

Description

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)evaluates the function of factors I, II, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII. PTT represents the amount of time required for a fibrin clot...

Sep 13, 2023

Normal
95 - 100%

Indications

• Determine respiratory status
• Part of Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) testing

Description
Oxygen saturation (SaO2) is a measurement of the percentage of how much hemoglobin is saturated with oxygen. Oxygen is transported in the blood in two ways: oxygen dissolved in blood plasma (pO2) and oxygen...