NCLEX lab values to memorize key terms
Memorize essential NCLEX lab values and understand their significance for nursing practice. This study set includes critical values, associated nursing actions, and priorities for patient safety.
Quiz(64 questions)
1. What is the normal range for Sodium (Na+) levels?
Terms in this Study Set(64)
Basic Lab Values(16)
What is the normal range for WBC?
4,500 - 11,000 cells/mcL. - Indicates immune function - High: infection, stress - Low: risk of infection
Define the normal range for RBC.
Men: 4.7 - 6.1 million/mcL Women: 4.2 - 5.4 million/mcL
What is the normal Hemoglobin (Hgb) level?
Men: 13.8 - 17.2 g/dL Women: 12.1 - 15.1 g/dL
True or False: A high platelet count indicates bleeding.
False. A high platelet count (thrombocytosis) typically indicates a risk for clotting.
Normal range for Platelets?
150,000 - 450,000/mcL - Function: clotting - Low: risk of bleeding - High: risk of clotting
Normal range for Creatinine?
0.6 - 1.2 mg/dL - Indicator of kidney function - Elevated: impaired kidney function
What is the normal range for BNP?
<100 pg/mL - High: heart failure indication
Fill in the blank: Normal BUN levels are ____.
7 - 20 mg/dL
What does a high PT indicate?
Prolonged bleeding risk, likely from liver dysfunction or anticoagulant therapy.
Define normal INR range.
0.8 - 1.1 for healthy individuals. - 2.0 - 3.0 for anticoagulation therapy.
What is the normal range for Sodium?
135 - 145 mEq/L - Key for fluid balance - Low: hyponatremia (confusion) - High: hypernatremia (thirst)
What is the normal range for Potassium?
3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L - Essential for cardiac function - Low: arrhythmias - High: can lead to cardiac arrest
Normal glucose levels?
70 - 100 mg/dL - High: diabetes - Low: hypoglycemia (confusion, weakness)
True or False: A normal Calcium level is important for bone health.
True. Normal Calcium is 8.5 - 10.2 mg/dL. Important for muscle and nerve function.
What is the normal range for Chloride?
98 - 106 mEq/L - Helps maintain acid-base balance.
Normal range for Albumin?
3.5 - 5.0 g/dL - Indicator of liver function and nutritional status.
Electrolytes and Their Functions(16)
Normal Sodium (Na+) level?
135-145 mEq/L. Essential for fluid balance and nerve function.
Function of Potassium (K+) in the body?
Regulates heartbeat, muscle contractions, nerve signals. Normal range: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L.
True or False: Calcium (Ca2+) is only important for bones.
False. It also aids in muscle function and nerve transmission.
What are the effects of low Magnesium (Mg2+) levels?
Muscle cramps, arrhythmias, seizures. Normal range: 1.5-2.5 mEq/L.
Fill in the blank: Chloride (Cl-) helps maintain __________ balance.
Fluid.
Comparison: Na+ vs K+ functions?
Na+: fluid balance, K+: heart rhythm.
Normal Calcium (Ca2+) level?
8.5-10.5 mg/dL. Vital for blood clotting and muscle function.
What can cause elevated Potassium (K+) levels?
Kidney failure, medications, tissue damage.
Role of Phosphate (PO4) in the body?
Bone formation, energy metabolism, DNA synthesis. Normal range: 2.5-4.5 mg/dL.
What is the main function of Chloride (Cl-)?
Maintains osmotic pressure and acid-base balance.
True or False: Sodium (Na+) affects blood pressure.
True. High Na+ can increase blood pressure.
Normal Magnesium (Mg2+) level?
1.5-2.5 mEq/L. Important for enzymatic reactions.
Hypocalcemia can cause __________.
Muscle spasms or tetany.
Cause → Effect: High Phosphate (PO4) levels?
Cause: Kidney disease. Effect: Weak bones.
What is the danger of hyperkalemia?
Can lead to cardiac arrest. Normal range: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L.
What happens if sodium levels drop?
Hyponatremia: confusion, seizures, muscle cramps.
Hematology and Coagulation Values(16)
Normal Hemoglobin (Hgb) range?
12-16 g/dL (female) - 14-18 g/dL (male)
What does low Hgb indicate?
Anemia - potential causes: blood loss, nutritional deficiencies.
Normal Hematocrit (Hct) values?
37-47% (female) - 42-52% (male)
True or False: High Hct indicates overhydration.
False. High Hct indicates dehydration or polycythemia.
What is the normal platelet count?
150,000 to 450,000 cells/µL
Low platelet count effect?
Increased bleeding risk - monitor for signs of hemorrhage.
What does PT measure?
Prothrombin Time - assesses extrinsic coagulation pathway.
Normal PT range?
11-13.5 seconds
What is INR and its normal range?
International Normalized Ratio - normal range: 0.8-1.1.
What does a high INR indicate?
Increased bleeding risk - potential anticoagulation therapy monitoring.
What does aPTT measure?
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time - assesses intrinsic pathway.
Normal aPTT range?
30-40 seconds
True or False: Low aPTT means increased bleeding risk.
False. Low aPTT indicates normal or hypercoagulable state.
What is the role of Fibrinogen?
Essential for blood clot formation - normal range: 200-400 mg/dL.
Cause → Effect: Elevated D-dimer levels?
Cause: Clot formation. Effect: Indicates thrombosis or clot breakdown.
What is RBC count and its normal range?
Red Blood Cell count - normal: 4.2-5.9 million cells/µL.
Renal and Liver Function Tests(16)
What is the normal range for BUN?
7-20 mg/dL. Elevated levels may indicate kidney dysfunction.
What does a high creatinine level indicate?
Kidney impairment. Normal levels: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL.
True or False: ALT is a marker for liver damage.
True. Elevated ALT indicates liver cell injury.
What is the normal range for AST?
10-40 units/L. Elevated levels may indicate liver or muscle issues.
Fill in the blank: Normal urine output is ____ mL per hour.
30 mL. It reflects good kidney function.
Compare BUN and creatinine levels.
BUN reflects protein metabolism; creatinine reflects muscle metabolism.
What is the significance of bilirubin levels?
Normal levels: 0.1-1.2 mg/dL. Elevated levels indicate liver dysfunction or hemolysis.
What is the normal range for albumin?
3.5-5.0 g/dL. Low levels suggest liver disease or malnutrition.
What does a high alkaline phosphatase level indicate?
Possible liver or bone disease. Normal range: 44-147 IU/L.
What is the normal range for protein in urine?
0-20 mg/dL. Elevated levels may indicate kidney disease.
True or False: Elevated ammonia levels indicate liver failure.
True. Normal range: 15-45 mcg/dL.
Cause → Effect: Elevated creatinine levels.
Cause: Kidney dysfunction. Effect: Impaired filtration.
What is the normal range for total bilirubin?
0.3-1.9 mg/dL. Important for liver function assessment.
What does a urinalysis assess?
Kidney function, hydration status, and presence of disease.
Short example: What indicates kidney failure?
Creatinine above 1.2 mg/dL and low urine output.
What is the role of kidney function tests?
Assess glomerular filtration rate and kidney health.
Questions in this Study Set(64)
1. What is the normal range for Sodium (Na+) levels?
2. What is the normal range for blood urea nitrogen (BUN)?
3. What is the normal range for WBC?
4. What is the normal range for Hemoglobin (Hgb) in adult females?
5. Which electrolyte is primarily responsible for regulating heartbeat?
6. Which of the following indicates possible kidney impairment?
7. What indicates a low RBC count?
8. What condition might low Hemoglobin (Hgb) levels indicate?
9. True or False: Magnesium (Mg2+) levels below normal can lead to muscle cramps.
10. True or False: Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels indicate liver damage.
11. What is the normal range for Hemoglobin (Hgb) levels in women?
12. What is the normal range for Hematocrit (Hct) in adult males?
13. What does Chloride (Cl-) primarily help maintain?
14. What is the normal range for aspartate aminotransferase (AST)?
15. True or False: A high platelet count suggests a risk of bleeding.
16. True or False: High Hematocrit (Hct) levels indicate overhydration.
17. Which of the following is NOT a function of Calcium (Ca2+)?
18. Fill in the blank: Normal urine output is ____ mL per hour.
19. What is the normal range for Platelets?
20. What is the normal platelet count range?
21. What can cause elevated levels of Potassium (K+)?
22. What is the primary purpose of assessing both BUN and creatinine levels?
23. What does an elevated Creatinine level indicate?
24. What effect does a low platelet count have on a patient?
25. Normal range for Calcium (Ca2+) levels in the blood is:
26. What does an elevated bilirubin level suggest?
27. What is the normal range for BNP levels?
28. What does Prothrombin Time (PT) measure?
29. What is the effect of low Phosphate (PO4) levels?
30. What is the normal range for serum albumin?
31. What are normal BUN levels?
32. What is the normal PT range?
33. What happens if Chloride (Cl-) levels become too low?
34. Which of the following would indicate a possible liver or bone disease?
35. What does a high PT indicate?
36. What does INR stand for?
37. Which electrolyte imbalance can lead to severe cardiac issues?
38. What does normal protein in urine indicate?
39. What is the normal INR range for healthy individuals?
40. What does a high INR indicate?
41. Fill in the blank: Sodium (Na+) levels should be kept within __________.
42. True or False: Elevated ammonia levels are a sign of liver failure.
43. What is the normal range for Sodium?
44. What does Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) measure?
45. The primary role of Magnesium (Mg2+) in the body is to:
46. Cause → Effect: Elevated creatinine levels. What is the effect?
47. What is the normal range for Potassium?
48. What is the normal aPTT range?
49. What is a possible consequence of hyperphosphatemia?
50. What is the normal range for total bilirubin?
51. What are normal glucose levels?
52. True or False: A low aPTT indicates increased bleeding risk.
53. True or False: Low levels of Sodium (Na+) can cause confusion and seizures.
54. What does a urinalysis primarily assess?
55. True or False: Normal Calcium levels are important for muscle function.
56. What is the role of Fibrinogen in coagulation?
57. What is the normal range for Potassium (K+) levels?
58. Which of the following indicates kidney failure?
59. What is the normal range for Chloride?
60. What does an elevated D-dimer level indicate?
61. Which of the following electrolytes plays a crucial role in muscle contractions and nerve signals?
62. What is the role of kidney function tests?
63. What is the normal range for Albumin?
64. What is the normal Red Blood Cell (RBC) count range?
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