Critical Lab Values List: this cheats sheet will shows the values when the lab becomes “critical”…
Laboratory Values: THE PYRAMID TO SUCCESS
This Cheat sheet identifies the normal adult values for the most common laboratory tests. It is important to remember that normal laboratory values may vary slightly, depending on the laboratory setting and equipment used in testing.
critical-lab-values
If you are familiar with the normal values, you will be able to determine whether an abnormality exists when a laboratory value is presented in a question. The questions on the NCLEX-RN examination related to laboratory values will require you to identify whether the laboratory value is normal or abnormal, and then you are required to think critically about the effects of the laboratory value in terms of the client.
Pyramid Points focus on knowledge of the normal values for the most common laboratory tests, therapeutic serum medication levels of commonly prescribed medications, and determination of the need to implement specific actions based on the findings. When a question is presented on the NCLEX-RN examination regarding a specific laboratory value, note the disorder presented in the question and the associated body organ affected as a result of the disorder.
Laboratory values Common abbreviations:
Abbreviation Definition
g/dL grams per deciliter
IU/L International units per liter
mcg/dL micrograms per deciliter
mcg/mL micrograms per milliliter
mEq/L milliequivalents per liter
mg/dL milligrams per deciliter
microunits/mL microunits per milliliter
mL/kg milliliters per kilogram
mm3 millimeters cubed
mm/hr millimeters per hour
ng/mL nanograms per milliliter
pg/mL picogram per milliliter
units/L units per liter
mL microliters