Basic Laboratory Tests For Nurses

Written By Brennan Belliveau

Understanding basic laboratory values and tests is essential for nurses to interpret patient results accurately and provide appropriate care. Here are some common laboratory values and tests that nurses should be familiar with:

  1. Complete Blood Count (CBC):

    • Hemoglobin (Hgb): Normal range varies by age and gender (e.g., 12-16 g/dL for adult females, 14-18 g/dL for adult males).

    • Hematocrit (Hct): Normal range varies by age and gender (e.g., 36-46% for adult females, 40-54% for adult males).

    • White Blood Cell Count (WBC): Normal range is typically 4,500-11,000 cells/mm³.

    • Platelet Count: Normal range is typically 150,000-400,000/mm³.

  2. Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP):

    • Blood Glucose: Normal fasting range is typically 70-100 mg/dL.

    • Sodium (Na): Normal range is typically 135-145 mEq/L.

    • Potassium (K): Normal range is typically 3.5-5.0 mEq/L.

    • Chloride (Cl): Normal range is typically 95-105 mEq/L.

    • Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Normal range is typically 23-29 mEq/L.

    • Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Normal range is typically 7-20 mg/dL.

    • Creatinine: Normal range is typically 0.6-1.2 mg/dL.

  3. Liver Function Tests (LFTs):

    • Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): Normal range is typically 7-56 U/L.

    • Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): Normal range is typically 10-40 U/L.

    • Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): Normal range is typically 44-147 U/L.

    • Total Bilirubin: Normal range is typically 0.1-1.2 mg/dL.

    • Albumin: Normal range is typically 3.5-5.0 g/dL.

  4. Coagulation Studies:

    • Prothrombin Time (PT): Normal range is typically 11-13.5 seconds.

    • International Normalized Ratio (INR): Normal range varies depending on the indication for anticoagulation therapy.

    • Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT): Normal range is typically 25-35 seconds.

  5. Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Analysis:

    • pH: Normal range is typically 7.35-7.45.

    • PaO2: Normal range is typically 80-100 mmHg.

    • PaCO2: Normal range is typically 35-45 mmHg.

    • HCO3- (Bicarbonate): Normal range is typically 22-26 mEq/L.

  6. Urinalysis:

    • Color, clarity, odor, and specific gravity of urine.

    • Presence of protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, blood, nitrites, leukocytes, and urobilinogen.

    • Microscopic examination of urine sediment for red blood cells, white blood cells, epithelial cells, casts, and crystals.

  7. Electrolytes:

    • Calcium (Ca): Normal range is typically 8.5-10.5 mg/dL.

    • Magnesium (Mg): Normal range is typically 1.5-2.5 mEq/L.

    • Phosphorus (PO4): Normal range is typically 2.5-4.5 mg/dL.

Understanding these basic laboratory values and tests enables nurses to monitor patient health, detect abnormalities, and collaborate effectively with other members of the healthcare team to provide comprehensive care.

Brennan Belliveau

Nurse Brennan Belliveau is an internationally educated Registered Nurse born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Brennan immigrated to San Francisco, California, USA in 2019 and since then has created The Adventurous Nurse Ltd. to support the international nursing community. Brennan works in pediatric cardiology and heart-lung transplant care as a Registered Nurse in addition to writing NCLEX preparation questions and creating content and resources for the nurses all across the world.

http://www.theadventurousnurse.com
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