Name of lab or diagnostic Normal Lab Nursing Implications

Current level
test and date completed Value
Level ↑ = renal failure, dehydration
Level ↓ = liver failure, over hydration
BUN 10-20 mg/dL
Assess kidney function, check I&O.
Detects effect of heart disease on kidneys.
Level ↑ = kidney disease, injury to skeletal muscle
Level ↓ = debilitation, decreased muscle mass
Creatinine 0.5-1.4 mg/dL
Assess kidney function, I & O, debilitation.
Detects effect of heart disease on kidneys
Level ↑ = infection, inflammation, stress/trauma, tissue
necrosis, leukemia, dehydration.
Assess temp., monitor for S&S of infection or
4.0-11.0
WBC inflammation.
thou/cumm
Level ↓ = depressed bone marrow function,
autoimmune disease, vitamin deficiency, drug toxicity
Protect client from exposure to infection
Level ↑ = assess fluid balance, assess resp. status
RBC 4.00-5.20 Level ↓ = assess fatigue, VS, dietary deficiencies
(protein, iron), where is blood loss? or injury?
Level ↑ = COPD, congenital heart disease, severe
dehydration, erythrocytosis
assess fluid balance, assess resp. status
Hemoglobin 14-18 mg/dL Level ↓ = anemia, hemorrhage, blood loss (or) dietary
deficiency, bone marrow failure, pregnancy
Check for bleeding, s/s of anemia, over hydration, renal
disease, assess IV fluids
Level ↑ = COPD, congenital heart disease, severe
dehydration, erythrocytosis
assess fluid balance, assess resp. status
Hematocrit 42-52% Level ↓ = anemia, hemorrhage, blood loss (or) dietary
deficiency, bone marrow failure, pregnancy
Check for bleeding, s/s of anemia, over hydration, renal
disease, assess IV fluids
Level ↑ = heparin therapy, heredity factor deficiencies,
Vit K deficiencies
Level ↓ = extensive cancer, excess Vit K
aPTT Assess for S&S of bleeding: pupura, hematuria, nose
Activated Partial 20-35 seconds bleeds and bruising.
Thromboplastin Time Assess therapeutic range 1.5-2x control, heparin dose
& frequency, S&S of bleeding: pupura, hematuria, nose
bleeds and bruising. Know antidote for overdose for
heparin--protamine sulfate
Level ↑ = coumadin (warfarin) therapy (anticoagulant
therapy), hereditary factor diseases, vit K deficiency
Level ↓ = Possible Vit K deficiency.
PT
10-13 seconds Assess therapeutic range, coumadin dose & frequency,
Prothrombin Time
S&S of bleeding: pupura, hematuria, nose bleeds and
bruising.
Know antidote for overdose of coumadin=Vit K
Monitors oral anticoagulants, may reveal
INR hypercoagulability
International 0.7-1.8
Normalized Ratio

Level ↑ = increased intake of sodium, excessive IV

sodium, GI fluid loss-suctioning/vomiting, increased
sweating
136-145
Sodium Level ↓ = decreased intake or IV source, diarrhea,
mEq/L
diuretic therapy, renal insufficiency
Assess sources of sodium, assess I&O, assess edema,
assess weight
Level ↑ = increased dietary or IV intake, renal failure,