Lab Data Interpretations
Terms
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- Normal magnesium level is ___.
- 1.5-2.5 mEq/liter
- What ion moves with potassium?
- magnesium
- Conditions that cause K+ depletion?
- vomiting, diarrhea, diuretics
- Reasons for decreased Mg include?
- Chronic diarrhea, diuretic use, malabsorption syndrome, prolonged gastric drainage
- Increased Mg levels may be due to?
- renal failure of insufficiency, DKA before treatment (after treatment there may be a low Mg level), dehydration
- Normal potassium level is __.
- 3.5-5.5 mEq/liter
- What ion is important for the rate and force of contractions and cardiac output?
- Potassium
- Decreased levels of potassium are due to?
-
diarrhea
pyloric obstruction
starvation
malabsorption
severe vomiting
severe burns
diuretic administration-MOST COMMON (i.e. Lasix)
NPO status with no K replacements - Increased potassium levels are due to?
-
renal failure
DKA
Internal hemorrhage
Over correction of low potassium levels - Can potassium be given IV push?
- No
- Can potassium be given by IM?
- No
- If giving po, should potassium be taken on a full or empty stomach?
- Full stomach
- IV potassium must be diluted. Give only __ mEq an hour.
- 10
- What is the most abundant ECF electrolyte?
- Sodium
- The normal level of sodium is ___.
- 135-145 mEq/liter
- Reasons for low sodium?
-
Severe burns
Severe diarrhea
Vomiting
Excessive IV fluids of non electrolytes
Pyloric obstruction
DKA
Edema-most common
Stomach suction accompanied by water or ice chips by mouth - Reasons for high sodium?
-
Hypovolemia
Dehydration
Fever
Diabetes insipidus-Results in increased urine output
Increased salt intake
Hyperventilation
Cushing syndrome - With ___ (electrolyte) imbalances watch for CNS changes.
- sodium
- Causes of increased calcium levels are due to?
-
Acidosis
Hyperparathyroidism
Bone cancer
Immobility-Most common - Causes of decreased calcium levels?
-
Alkalosis
Hypoparathyroidism
Inadequate intake of calcium and/or vitamin - Describe the two tests that elicit signs of calcium deficiency?
-
Chvostek's sing (facial spasms)
Trousseau's sign (carpopedal spasm) - Normal glucose range is ___.
- 80-120 mg/dl
- Patients on steroids will see an increase in their ___.
- blood sugar
- Increased levels of glucose is seen with what conditions?
-
diabetes mellitus
shock, trauma
obesity
stress - Decreased levels of glucose is seen with what conditions?
-
Starvation
Increased insulin dosage
Malabsorption problems - The liver normally removes ___ and changes it to ___.
- ammonia, urea
- ___ is a laxative which causes the ammonia to be eliminated from the body.
- Lactulose
- What lab value is used as a gross indicator of kidney function?
- BUN
- What lab value is usually due to inadequate excretion due to kidney disease or urinary obstruction/renal failure?
- BUN
- Elevated ___ is often seen with elevated BUN (or poor kidney function).
- creatinine
- Normal WBC count is?
- 4,100-10,900 cell/uL
- What lab value is used to determine infection/inflammation?
- WBC count
- What lab value is used to determine if differential or bone marrow biopsy is needed?
- WBC count
- What lab value is used to monitor chemotherapy or radiation therapy?
- WBC count
- What term is used to refer to an elevated WBC?
- leukocytosis
- What term is used to refer to a deficiency in WBCs?
- leukopenia
- A low ___ indicates bone marrow depression.
- WBC count
- What term is used to refer to a sign of acute infection?
- shift to the left
-
___ are immature neutrophils.
___ are mature neutrophils. - bands, segs
- A shift to the left indicates more ___ than ___.
- bands, segs
- What is hematocrit (HCT)?
- Volume of RBC in 100 cc of blood.
- See a decrease in anemia with ___.
- overhydration
- RBC percentage in males?
- 40-54%
- RBC percentage in females?
- 37-47%
- ___ is the oxygen carrying pigment and main component of the RBCs.
- hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Hemoglobin level for males?
- 13-18 gm/dl
- Hemoglobin level for females?
- 12-16 gm/dl
- A blood infusion is usually given if Hgb is less than ___.
- 8
- Normal platelet range?
- 150,000-400,000
- The terminology for low platelet count?
- thrombocytopenia
- ___ are important for clotting.
- Platelets
- What enzyme is increased with pancreatic disease?
- amylase
- This test is increased with inflammation.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- ESR is ___ (increased or decreased) with inflammation.
- increased