What do they do?
This lab measures how well your kidneys are filtering.
What is glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?
This lab value indicates if your blood is acidic or alkaline.
What is PH?
Your patient's calcium is low.
What is give calcium supplements or IV calcium gluconate, put patient on seizure precautions?
Your patient has a WBC level of 2,000.
What is put patient on neutropenic precautions, monitor for infection (temp > 100, inc. RR, inc. HR, diaphoresis), WASH your hands?
Your patient's sodium level is low.
What is diuretics, diarrhea, burns, heart failure, kidney disease, SIADH, vomiting?
This lab is a protein that's produced by your bone marrow and stored in your red blood cells. It helps RBCs transport oxygen from your lungs to your body through your arteries.
What is Hemoglobin?
This is a buffer and can stabilize PH.
What is bicarbonate?
Patient has a magnesium level of 6.2.
What is monitor kidney function, OTC meds (certain laxatives, antacids containing Mg), BP (hypotension), neurological status?
Your patient's labs came back this morning with a platelet count of 90,000.
What is assess for signs of bleeding (tachycardia, low BP, high RR, bruising, blood in stools, gums), use an electric razor, do not administer anti-platelet meds (aspirin, ibuprofen, clopidogrel), use a soft toothbrush, administer stool softeners, educate patient on using lubricant during sexual intercourse, no contact sports, no alcohol.
Your patient has a WBC of 19,000.
What is infection, inflammatory diseases, stress, leukemia?
This keeps fluids from leaking out of vessels, nourishes tissues and transports hormones, vitamins, drugs, and substances like calcium throughout the body.
What is albumin?
These lab values help in identifying normal liver function.
What is ALT and AST?
Patient has a lab value of K = 1.8.
What is monitor ECG, respiratory status (resp. arrest), slowly adjust potassium level through diet (spinach, legumes, avocadoes, potatoes, dried fruits) and supplements, d/c NG tube suctioning, treat patient for n/v, diarrhea, hold diuretics or use potassium-sparing diuretics.
Your patient has a creatinine level of 2.8.
What is check hydration status (check skin turgor, dark colored urine, fatigue, dizziness, confusion?), and administer fluids if dehydrated, check other renal labs that may indicate kidney damage (is BUN high, is GFR below 60, protein in urine?)?
Your patient's morning labs came back and show a low AST value.
What is an expected and normal lab value for hepatic function?
These labs can help you identify fluid volume status and renal function of a patient.
What is BUN and creatinine?
A high level of this lab can indicate chronic inflammation.
What is total protein?
The NA took your patient's POC glucose which came back as 50.
What is give dextrose 50, juice, crackers, 20g carbs?
You have a new patient, and his potassium level is 6.5.
What is obtain an ECG and monitor heart rate and rhythm, check renal lab values, does patient take potassium supplements, administer insulin and glucose, kayexalate, have patient avoid salt substitutes and high-potassium foods?
The patient on the med-surg floor has a low hematocrit level of 30%.
What is an indicative lab value for overhydration, blood loss, chemo?
This is vital to cell metabolism. It helps transport nutrients i to cells and removes waste. It is also important to muscle function, helping to transport messages between nerves and muscles.
What is potassium?
This group of lab values can help you identify acidotic and alkalotic states.
What is ABGs?
A male patient came in post MVC and his hemoglobin is 8.
What is check for bleeding, Hct level (is this low as well? Think acute!), check BP, HR, RR (is BP low, HR high, RR high? Think shock from loss of blood volume), notify MD, give fluids, PRBCs.
The lab values for a patient came back with high CO2 of 32.
What is monitor vitals (RR, HR, BP, O2), monitor for SOB or altered mental status, administer O2, position HOB at 30 degrees or higher, encourage deep breathing exercises, administer prescribed bronchodilators, assess for underlying conditions (COPD, hypoventilation)?
The lab value is between 60-100.
What is an expected PTT for a patient on IV heparin?