Medical labs - ranges and when to call MD

Hello!

I am Rhoda Sommer

I am here because I love to give presentations for nursing students.

You can reach me at Oneononenclextutoring.com/contact

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Common labs

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The most important practical lesson that can be given to nurses is to teach them what to observe

Florence Nightingale

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Electrolytes

Sodium 135- 145

Potassium 3.5 - 5.0

Calcium 9.0- 10.5

Magnesium 1.8 - 2.6

Phosphorus 3.0 - 4.5

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Electrolytes

Why are they in the body? What is their purpose would affect my calling the doctor!

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Sodium- low vs high

Low

Usually connected to fluid imbalances

Helps with maintaining Blood pressure

High

Usually connected with taking in or not getting rid of sodium

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Call the MD for either low or high in this lab

Is the client losing fluid or gaining fluid?

Is the patient taking in too much sodium or not taking in enough water?

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Potassium

Low

Usually associated with fluid balance, and muscle use

Potential difficulty with muscles especially lungs

High

Potentially could be life threatening with Cardiac dysrhythmias

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Call for either low or high Understanding that both are and can be lifethreatening!

Is the client able to move their muscles?

Are they safe to move about without assistance?

Is their heart functioning correctly?

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Calcium- low vs high

Low

Used to make bones and teeth strong

Help with muscle contraction and nerve function

Excited- twitching can affect heart and respiratory due to tetany

High

Muscles are weak and client could have trouble with breathing

Disorientation, coma

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Call the MD for either low or high both could be life threatening

Is the client losing calcium or gaining?

Is the client not taking in calcium?

Is the client getting rid of calcium through increased excretion?

Are the bones pushing calcium out into the blood?

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Magnesium- low vs high

Low

Helps with muscle and nerve function and with immune system

Is the client malnourished?

Are they taking diuretics?

High

Muscles will not work with this state. Client can have heart and lungs stop due to high magnesium level.

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Call the MD for high levels in magnesium Life threatening!

Is the client eating a good diet?

If the client is malnourished the client could have a low mag level

Are we giving Magnesium to this client IV?

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aPTT

Measures and evaluates the intrinsic clotting system. Clotting factors I II IV XI XII

This is affected by trauma outside of the body and makes the body lose blood

This is used to determine if heparin is within the therapeutic range

Normal without heparin

30-40 seconds

With heparin

1.5 to 2.5 times

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PT

Prothrombin time

This is a vitamin K glycoprotein that helps fibrin clot formation

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Range 11- 12.5 without warfarin

With warfarin 1.5 to 2 times

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INR

INR is used to determine the therapeutic range of warfarin

Therapeutic range is 2-3

Without warfarin 0.81- 1.20

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Hemoglobin

Measures the amount of hemoglobin being carried by RBC’s

This lab shows if the client is able to get enough 02 Hemoglobin is what carries the 02

Range male

14-18

Female range

12-16

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Hematocrit

Represents the number of red blood cells versus the serum

Is the client anemia or polycythemia

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Range male

42- 52

Female range

37-47

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Blood glucose

Normal range 70-100

Glycosylated hemoglobin HgbA1C below 6

Above 6 MD needs notified of out of control blood glucose

Depending on type of diabetes type 1 or type 2

Call to MD for type 1 250-300

Call to MD for type 2 over 240

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Remember sick day rules! For diabetics”

Meds as ordered

Test every 3-4 hours

Follow meal plan or use replacements

Notify MD if over 250-300 or vomiting, diarrhea, or fever for more than 24 hours

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Thanks!😉

Any questions?

• rhodasommer@oneononenclextutoring.com/contact

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