MOST COMMON LABORATORY VALUES CHEAT SHEET: Blood and Blood

Products
RN KNOWS
 HEMATOLOGY (CBC)

REFERENCE HIGH LOW

Factor VIII assay 60%-140% Classical hemophilia

(anti-hemophiliac
factor)

Factor IX assay 60%-140% Christmas disease

(plasma (pseudohemophilia)
thromboplastin
component)

Fibrinogen 200-400 mg/dl Pregnancy, infections Severe liver disease, abruptio

accompanied by placentae
leukocytosis, nephrosis

PTT Lower limit of normal: 20-25 sec Prolonged in deficiency of

Upper limit of normal: 32-39 sec fibrinogen, factors II, V, VIII, IX,
X, XI and XII, and in heparin
therapy

PT 9.5-12 sec Prolonged in deficiency of

factors I, II, V, VII, and X, fat
malabsorption, severe liver
disease, coumarin anticoagulant
therapy

INR 1.0 sec Prolonged in deficiency of factors I, II,

(INR used to (2-3 for therapy of atrial fibrillation, V, VII, and X, fat malabsorption,
standardize the DVT, and pulmonary embolism; 2.5- severe liver disease, coumarin
prothrombin time 3.5 for therapy in prosthetic heart anticoagulant therapy

and anti valves)

coagulation
therapy)

Erythrocyte Males: 4,600,000-6,200,000/cu mm Severe diarrhea and All anemias in leukemia, and post
Females: 4,200,000-5,400,000/cu dehydration, hemorrhage
mm polycythemia, acute
poisoning, pulmonary
fibrosis

MVC 84-96 cu um Macrocytic anemia Microcytic anemia

MCH 28-33 uug/cell Macrocytic anemia Microcytic anemia

MCHC 33%-35% Severe hypochromic anemia

2 |RN KNOWS: Most common laboratory values with interpretation: Blood and Blood products
 Hemoglobin Males: 13-18 gm/dl
Females: 12-16 gm/dl
Polycythemia, Chronic Various anemias, pregnancy,
obstructive pulmonary severe or prolonged
disease, failure of hemorrhage, excessive fluid
oxygenation because of intake
congestive heart failure,
normally in people
living in high altitude
areas

Leucocyte 4,500-11,000/cu mm

Neutrophils 45%-73% Acute infections, Viral infections, bone marrow

trauma or surgery, suppression, primary bone
leukemia, malignant marrow disease
disease, necrosis

Eosinophils 0%-4% Allergy, parasitic Stress, use of some medications

disease, collagen such as: ACTH, Epinephrine,
disease, sub acute Thyroxine
infection

Basophils 0%-1% Acute leukemia, post op Allergic reactions, stress, allergy,

or trauma parasitic diseasese and use of
corticosteroids

Lymphocytes 20%-40% Infectious Aplastic anemia, SLE,

mononucleosis, viral Immunodeficiency including
and some bacterial AIDS
infections, hepatitis

Monocytes 2%-8% Viral infections, Use of corticosteroids , RA, HIV

parasitic diseasese, infections
collagen and hemolytic
disorders

Platelet count 150,000-400,000/cu mm Malignancy, Thrombocytopenia, purpura,

myeloproliferative dse, acute leukemia, aplastic anemia
RA, post operative and during cancer
chemotherapy

3 |RN KNOWS: Most common laboratory values with interpretation: Blood and Blood products
 BLOOD CHEMISTRY
REFERENCE HIGH LOW
Amylase 60-160 Somogyi U/dl Acute pancreatitis, carcinoma of Chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic
the head of the pancreas, fibrosis and atropy, cirrhosis of
prolonged elevation of the the liver
pseudocyst of the pancreas,
increased medications that
constricts pancreatic duct
sphincters such as: Morphine,
Codeine, Cholinergics, Mumps,
Duodenal ulcer

ALT/SGPT Males: 10-40 U/ml Liver disease (more marked

Females: 8-35 U/ml
AST/SGOT Males: 10-40 U/ml
Females: 15-30 U/ml
Bilirubin Total: 0.3-1.0 mg/dl
Direct: 0.1-0.4 mg/dl
Indirect: 0.1-0.4 mg/dl
Cholesterol 150-200 mg/dl
increase than AST)
Liver disease, skeletal muscle
disease, myocardial infarction
Biliary obstruction and disease,
Hepato cellular damage,
Hemolytic disease of Newborn ,
Hemolytic anemia(Indirect)
Lipemia, obstructive jaundice, Terminal state of debilitating
Diabetes, Hypothyroidism disease, pernicious anemia,
hemolytic anemia,
hyperthyroidism

Creatinine 0.7-1.4 mg/dl Nephritis, chronic renal disease

Creatinine Males: 85-125 ml/min Kidney disease

clearance Females: 75-115 ml/min
Glucose Fasting: 60-110 mg/dl
Postprandial(2hr): 65-140
mg/dl
HDL Males: 35-70 mg/dl
Females: 35-85mg/dl
Diabetes mellitus, early
hyperpituitarism, cerebral
lesions, infections,
hyperthyroidism, nephritis,
uremia
Addison's disease,
hyperinsulinism, hypothyroisism,
late hyperpituitarism, pernicious
vomiting
Patients who have an increased
risk for coronary heart disease

Lipase <200 u/ml Acute and Chronic pancreatitis,

biliary obstruction, cirrhosis,
hepatitis, peptic ulcer
LDL mg/dl <160 if no CAD and Patients who have an increased
<2 risk factors; <130 if no risk for coronary heart disease
CAD and ≥2 risk factors;
<100 if CAD is present
Total Protein 6-8 gm/dl Hemoconcentration Malnutrition
Albumin 4-5.5 g/dl Shock Hemorrhage
Globulin 1.7-3.3 g/dl Multiple myeloma, chronic Loss of plasma from burn,
infection, liver disease Proteinuria

4 |RN KNOWS: Most common laboratory values with interpretation: Blood and Blood products
 Triglycerides 100-200 mg/dl
BUN 10-20mg/dl Acute glumerulonephritis, Severe hepatic failure
nephrotic syndrome, obstructive
uropathy, mercury poisoning

Uric Acid 2.5-8 mg/dl Gouty arthritis, Acute leukemia,
Lymphomas treated by
chemotherapy
Triodothyronine 24%-34& Hyperthyroidism, thyroxine-
(T3) binding globulin deficiency,
Androgens and anabolic steroids
Thyroxine (T4) 5-11 ug/dL Hyperthyroidism, Thyroiditis,
elevated thyroxine-binding
proteins caused by oral
contraceptives
Defective tubular reabsorption
Hypothyroidism, thyroxine
binding globulin excess,
Estrogens and anti ovulatory
drugs
Primary and pituitary
hypothyroidism, idiopathic
involvement, case of diminished
thyroxine -binding proteins due
to anabolic steroids

BLOOD GASES
REFERENCE HIGH LOW
Oxygen arterial:
Partial pressure (PaO2) 85-95 mm Hg Polycythemia Anemia, cardiac or pulmonary disease

Saturation (SaO2) 95%-99% Cardiac decompensation, Chronic

obstructive lung disease

Carbon dioxide 35-45 mm Hg Respiratory Respiratory alkalosis, Metabolic

partial pressure (PaCO2) acidosis, acidosis
Metabolic
Alkalosis
PH 7.35-7.45 mm Hg Vomiting, Uremia, diabetic acidosis,
hyperventilation, hemorrhage, nephritis
fever, intestinal
obstruction
HCO3 22-26 mmol/L Metabolic Metabolic Acidosis
Alkalosis

5 |RN KNOWS: Most common laboratory values with interpretation: Blood and Blood products
 ELECTROLYTES
REFERENCE HIGH
Sodium 135-145 mEq/L Hypernatremia, Hemoconcentration,
Nephritis, pyloric obstruction,
diarrhea, low water intake
Potassium 3.5-4.5 mEq/L Hyperkalemia, renal failure, acidosis,
cell lysis, tissue breakdown or
hemolysis
Calcium 8.6-10.2 mg/dl Hypercalcemia, tumor or hyperplasia
of parathyroid hormone,
hypervitaminosis D, multiple
myeloma, nephritis with uremia,
malignant tumors, sarcoidosis,
hyperthyroidsism , skeletal
immobilization, excess calcium
intake, milk alkali syndrome, massive
bone fractures
Phosphorus 2.5-4.5 mg/dl Hyperphospatemia, Chronic
nephritis, hypoparathyroidism,
hypocalcemia
Chloride 97-107 mEq/L Nephrosis, nephritis, urinary
obstruction, cardiac
decompensation, anemia
6 |RN KNOWS: Most common laboratory values with interpretation: Blood and Blood products
LOW
Hyponatremia, Alkali deficit,
Addison's disease, myxedema,
excessive compulsive intake of
water
Hypokalemia, hyperparathyroidism,
Vitamin D deficiency, GI losses,
Diuretic administration, Gastric
suctioning, Hyperemesis
Gravidarum
Hypocalcemia, hypoparathyroidism,
diarrhea, celiac disease,lactose
intolerance, malabsorption
syndrome, vitamin D deficiency,
acute pancreatitis, nephrosis, post
parathyroidectomy
Hypophospatemia, alcoholism,
burn, diuretic use
Diabetes mellitus, diarrhea,
vomiting, pneumonia, heavy metal
poisoning, Cushing syndrome,
intestinal obstruction