Normal <150 mg/dL Indications Evaluate for: Elevated triglycerides Risk for atherosclerotic heart disease and stroke Description Triglycerides (TG) are required to provide energy during the metabolic process, excess triglycerides are sto

Sodium (Na+) Lab Values

Sep 25th, 2023 4m 7s

Normal 135-145 mEq/L Indications Monitor: Extracellular osmolality Electrolyte imbalance Description Sodium (Na+) is the most abundant cation in extracellular fluid. Sodium aids in osmotic pressure, renal retention and excretion of water, a

Potassium (K+) Lab Values

Sep 20th, 2023 4m 36s

Normal 3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L Indications Evaluate: Electrolyte imbalances Cardiac arrhythmias Monitor patients who are: Acidotic Receiving diuretic therapy Description Potassium (K+) is the most abundant intracellular cation and plays a vit

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) Lab Values

Sep 18th, 2023 3m 17s

Normal 25 - 35 seconds Indications Detection of coagulation disorders Evaluate response to Heparin (PT for Coumadin) Preoperative assessment Description Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)evaluates the function of factors I, II, V, VIII, IX,

Oxygen Saturation (SaO2) Lab Values

Sep 13th, 2023 3m 24s

Normal 95 - 100% Indications Determine respiratory status Part of Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) testing Description Oxygen saturation (SaO2) is a measurement of the percentage of how much hemoglobin is saturated with oxygen. Oxygen is transporte

Osmolality Lab Values

Sep 11th, 2023 5m 17s

Normal 261 – 280 mOsm/kg Indications Monitor: Electrolyte balance Acid-Base balance Hydration Evaluate function of antidiuretic hormone. Description Osmolality is a measure of the particles in solution. The size, shape, and charge of th

Magnesium (Mg) Lab Values

Sep 6th, 2023 3m 42s

Normal 1.6 – 2.6 mg/dL Indications Monitor: Renal failure Chronic alcoholism Cardiac arrhythmias Description Magnesium (Mg) is a cation necessary for protein synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, muscle contraction, ATP (adenosine triphosph

Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Lab Values

Sep 4th, 2023 3m 24s

Normal <70 mg/dL Indications Useful in determining risk of cardiovascular disease. Description Cholesterol is transported via lipoproteins. There are multiple types of lipoproteins and they each have slightly different functions: high-densi

Lactic Acid Lab Values

Aug 30th, 2023 4m

Normal 0.3 -2.6 mmol/L Indications Determine cause of acidosis Evaluate tissue oxygenation Description Lactate (Lactic Acid) is a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism. Normally, the tissues use aerobic metabolism to breakdown glucose for energ

International Normalized Ratio (INR) Lab Values

Aug 28th, 2023 4m 15s

Normal 0.8 - 1.2 Therapeutic Levels of Warfarin 2.0 – 3.5 Indications Evaluate therapeutic doses of Warfarin Identify patients at higher risk for bleeding Identify cause of: Bleeding Deficiencies Description International normalized rati

High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Lab Values

Aug 23rd, 2023 3m 14s

Normal >60 optimal mg/dL Indications Monitor risks of heart disease Description Cholesterol is transported via lipoproteins. There are multiple types of lipoproteins and they each have slightly different functions: high-density lipoprotein (

Glycosylated Hemoglobin(HgbA1c) Lab Values

Aug 21st, 2023 3m 29s

Normal 5.6-7.5 % of total Hgb Indications Assess control of blood sugars over a several month time frame Diagnose Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Description Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the combination of glucose and hemoglobin. When glucose

Folic Acid Lab Values

Aug 16th, 2023 3m 7s

Normal 2 - 20 ng/mL Indications Diagnose megaloblastic anemia Monitor effects of long-term Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) Identify Folate Deficiency Description Folic acid is an essential water soluble B vitamin. It is stored in the liver

Ferritin Lab Values

Aug 14th, 2023 3m 43s

Normal 20-300 ng/mL Indications Diagnosing: Iron-deficiency anemiaH emochromatosis Monitor: Iron levels Description Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. It is formed in the liver spleen and bone marrow. Ferritin in the blood is usu

Chloride (Cl- ) Lab Values

Aug 9th, 2023 4m 44s

Normal 96-108 mEq/L Indications Identify Acid-Base Imbalance Description Chloride (Cl-), an anion found in the blood, works together with sodium to help maintain oncotic pressure and water balance in the body. Chloride is inversely related to

Calcium (Ca2+) Lab Values

Aug 7th, 2023 6m 26s

Normal 8.4-10.2 mg/dL Indications Identify problems with: Parathyroid Neuromuscular functions Diseases that affect bone Effectiveness of treatments. Description Calcium (Ca+), a positive ion in the body, is necessary for neuromuscular pro

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Lab Values

Aug 2nd, 2023 3m 27s

Normal 12-37 U/L Indications Monitor progression of: Liver disease Response to treatments. Monitor liver toxic medications Description Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme primarily found in liver and heart cells, and to a smalle

Amylase Lab Values

Jul 31st, 2023 3m 24s

Normal 0-130 U/L Indications Diagnosing: Pancreatitis Pancreatic Duct Obstruction Macroamylasemia Trauma to Pancreas Description Amylase is made in the pancreas. It is an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates to allow our body to absorb it

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Jul 28th, 2023 2m 12s

Hi NURSING.com family. You can now prep for the NCLEX Anywhere! We just released a new Podcast show, “NCLEX Flash Notes.” This is the perfect NCLEX review, and as ALWAYS, we have pulled out the MOST important info that you need to become a

Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) Lab Values

Jul 26th, 2023 3m 52s

Normal 30-40 seconds Indications Identifying congenital deficiencies in clotting Monitoring heparin therapeutic levels (PT for warfarin) Monitoring effects of: Liver Disease Protein Deficiency Fat malabsorption on clotting Description Act

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Jul 24th, 2023 3m 15s

Hi NURSING.com family. Are you getting ready for the NCLEX?? This show is the perfect NCLEX review, and as ALWAYS, we have pulled out the MOST important info that you need to become an Amazing nurse! Listen in each week while we review 77 cr

Urinalysis (UA) Lab Values

Jul 24th, 2023 4m

Overview Urinalysis Color & Clarity Protein RBC WBC Glucose Specific gravity Ketones pH Bilirubin/Urobilinogen Nursing Points General Normal value range Color & Clarity Normal – Yellow Other colors Drug interactions Propofol – green

White Blood Cell (WBC) Lab Values

Jul 19th, 2023 3m 15s

Overview White Blood Cells Normal Value Range Pathophysiology Special considerations Abnormal values (high) Abnormal values (low) Nursing Points General Normal value range WBC 4500-10000/mcL Differential Neutrophils 40-60% Bands

Troponin I (cTNL) Lab Values

Jul 17th, 2023 3m 19s

Overview Troponin I Normal value range Pathophysiology Special considerations Elevations in lab values Nursing Points General Normal value range Typically, less than 0.035 ng/mL or less Can vary among institutions Has to be greater than

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Lab Values

Jul 12th, 2023 3m 31s

Objective: Determine the significance and clinical use of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone in clinical practice Lab Test Name: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Description: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is released from the anterior pituitary in