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General Surgery | Medicine (MD/DO) School Study Aid
Normal Electrolyte Lab Values
- Potassium (K+)
- 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L
- Calcium (Ca2+)
- 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL
- Phosphate (PO43–)
- 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL
- Magnesium (Mg2+)
- 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L
- Sodium (Na+)
- 135 to 145 mEq/L
- Chloride (Cl–)
- 95 to 105 mEq/L
2 mins
Sodium (Na+) Lab Value
- 135-145 mEq/L
24 secs
Hypernatremia
- Assessment
- > 145 mEq/L Na+
- Change in LOC
- Extreme Thirst
- Orthostatic Hypotension
- Dry Flushed Skin
- Muscle Twitching
- Seizures
- Priority Interventions
- Treat and Prevent Dehydration
- Hypotonic Solutions (0.225% or 0.45% NaCl)
- Sodium Restriction
- Diuretics
2 mins
Hyponatremia
- Assessment
- < 135 mEq Na+
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Decreased LOC
- Confusion / Lethargy
- Seizures
- Priority Interventions
- Assess Airway
- Reduce Diuretic Dosage
- Fluid Excess Hyponatremia
- Mannitol (Osmitrol)
- Fluid Restriction
- Fluid Deficit Hyponatremia
- Hypertonic Solution (3% or 5% NaCl)
2 mins
Potassium (K+) Lab Value
- 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L
20 secs
Hyperkalemia
- Assessment
- > 5.0 mEq/L K+
- Abdominal Cramps
- Muscle Weakness
- Diarrhea
- Arrhythmia
- Tall, Peaked T Waves
- Interventions
- IV Calcium
- Infusion of Glucose and Insulin
- Loop or Thiazide Diuretics
- Kayexalate
- Dialysis
- Prevention Education
2 mins
Hypokalemia
- Assessment
- < 3.5 mEq/L
- Muscle Weakness
- Arrhythmia
- U Wave
- Ileus
- Hyporeflexia
- Interventions
- IV K+ Infusion at 5-10 mEq/hr
- Give Orally with Food
- Nursing Considerations
- Monitor Respiratory Status
3 mins
Calcium (Ca2+) Lab Value
- 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL
26 secs
Hypercalcemia
- Assessment
- > 10.5 mg/dL Ca2+
- Pathologic Fractures
- Lethargy
- Hypercoagulation
- Constipation
- ECG Changes
- QT Shortening
- Interventions
- No Calcium Intake
- Chelating Drugs
- Calcitonin
- Bisphosphonates
- Loop Diuretics instead of Thiazide Diuretics
- Considerations
- Increased Risk for Renal Calculi
- Increase Fluids
3 mins
Hypocalcemia
- Muscle Spasms
- Assessment
- < 8.5 mg/dL Ca2+
- Decreased Bone Density
- Tetany
- Chvostek's Sign
- Trousseau's Sign
- Increased DTR
- ECG Changes
- QT Prolongation
- Considerations
- Oral and IV Replacement of Ca2+
- Seizure Precautions
2 mins
Calcium Correction for Hypoalbuminemia
- 0.8 * (Normal Albumin - Patient Albumin) + Calcium
- Steps
- Multiply * 0.8
- Subtract (Normal Albumin - Patient Albumin)
- Add Calcium
1 min
Magnesium (Mg2+) Lab Value
- 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L
28 secs
Hypermagnesemia
- Assessment
- Flushing
- Lethargy
- Muscle Weakness
- Decreased Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTRs)
- Decreased Respirations
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Interventions
- Dialysis
- IV Calcium Gluconate
- Diuretics
- Avoid Antacids and Laxatives containing Mg2+
2 mins
Hypomagnesemia
- Assessment
- Confusion
- Increased Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTRs)
- Neuromuscular Irritability
- Seizures
- Muscle Cramps
- Tremors
- Insomnia
- Tachycardia
- Interventions
- Magnesium Sulfate
- Foods High in Magnesium
1 min
Chloride (Cl-) Lab Value
- 95-105 mEq/L
28 secs
Phosphate (PO43-) Lab Value
- 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL
29 secs
Liver Enzyme Tests: AST and ALT
- AST/ALT Ratio
- AST: 8-20 U/L
- ALT: 8-20 U/L
1 min
Total Protein Lab Values
- 6.4 - 8.3 g/dL
1 min
Albumin Lab Value
- 3.5 - 5.5 g/dL
49 secs
Bilirubin Lab Value
- 0.2-1.2 mg/dL
- Increased Bilirubin Causes Jaundice
54 secs
Blood Glucose Lab Value
- 70-100 mg/dL
25 secs
pH - Blood and Urine Lab Value
- Blood
- 7.35 - 7.45
- Urine
- 4.0 - 8.0
1 min
Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) Lab Values
- Women: 3.5-5.5 million cells/ MuL
- Men: 4.3-5.9 million cells/ MuL
1 min
Hemoglobin
- Hemoglobin Has Four Iron Hemes
- Lots Of Hemoglobin In Red Blood Cells
- High O2 Levels Increase O2 Binding
- High Temperature Reduces O2 Binding
- High CO2 Levels Reduce O2 Binding
- Low pH Reduces O2 Binding
- Myoglobin Binds Oxygen in Muscle
2 mins
Hemoglobin (Hgb) Lab Values
- Men: 13 - 17 g/dL
- Women: 12 - 16 g/dL
47 secs
Hemoglobin A1c Lab Value
- 4-6%
1 min
Hematocrit (Hct) Lab Values
- Women: 36% - 46%
- Men: 41% - 53%
1 min
Platelet Lab Value
- 150,000-400,000 Micro L
40 secs
Bleeding Time Lab Values
- 2-7 Minutes
41 secs
PT/PTT Lab Values
- Prothrombin Time (PT)
- 10-14 seconds
- Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT or aPTT)
- 25-35 seconds
1 min
INR Lab Value
- 0.8-1.2 Normal Range
- Warfarin
- 2.0-3.0
1 min
WBC Differential Lab Value
- White Blood Cells (WBC)
- 5-10 (5,000-10,000)
- Leukocyte Differential
- Neutrophils (50%-70%)
- Bands (2%-5%)
- Segs (50%-70%)
- Lymphocytes (20%-40%)
- Monocytes (4%-8%)
- Eosinophils (2%-4%)
- Basophils (0.5%-1.5%)
2 mins
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) Lab Values
- 10-20 mg/dL
40 secs
Creatinine Lab Values
- Measures Renal Function
- 0.6 - 1.3 mg/dL
1 min
Urine Specific Gravity Lab Value
- 1.003-1.030
1 min
Cardiac Enzyme Evaluation: Myoglobin
- Measures
- Skeletal or Cardiac Muscle Injury
- Time Ranges
- Onset: 1 - 4 Hours
- Peak: 12 Hours
- Return to Normal: 24 Hours
- Considerations
- Elevation After 24 Hours: Reinfarction
2 mins
Cardiac Enzyme Evaluation: Troponin
- Measures
- Cardiac Muscle Injury
- Time Ranges
- Detection in Blood: 4 Hours
- Peak: 24 - 36 Hours
- Return to Normal: 5 - 14 Days
- Considerations
- Most Specific for Cardiac Muscle
- Treat Aggressively
2 mins
Troponin Lab Values
- Troponin T (cTnT)
- < 0.1 ng/mL Normal
- Troponin I (cTnI)
- < 0.5 ng/mL Normal
- > 2.3 ng/mL Myocardial Injury
2 mins
Cardiac Enzyme Evaluation: Creatine Kinase CK-MB
- Measures
- Skeletal or Cardiac Muscle Injury
- Time Ranges
- Onset: 4-8 Hours
- Peak: 12-24 Hours
- Return to Normal: 2-3 Days
1 min
Triglycerides Lab Value
- < 150 mg/dL
51 secs
Cholesterol Lab Values
- LDL (Low Density Cholesterol)
- < 100 mg/dL
- HDL (High Density Cholesterol)
- > 40 mg/dL Males
- > 50 mg/dL Females
- Total Cholesterol
- < 200 mg/dL
1 min
CSF Lab Values: Normal
- Pressure: < 20 cm H2O
- Color/Appearance: Clear or Colorless
- Proteins: < 40 mg/dL
- Lactate Dehydrogenase: 10% of Serum Level
- Cells: 0-5 Small Lymphocytes
- Glucose: 40-70 mg/dL
2 mins
Anticentromere Antibodies
- Autoimmune Disorders
- CREST Syndrome (Limited Scleroderma)
- Diffuse Scleroderma
49 secs
Antihistone Antibodies
- Drug-induced Lupus
- SHIPP Acronym
- Sulfonamides
- Hydralazine
- Isoniazid (INH)
- Phenytoin
- Procainamide
1 min
Anti-glomerular Basement Membrane Antibodies
- Glomerulonephritis
- Goodpasture's Disease
- Linear immunofluorescence
- Hemoptysis
- Hematuria
1 min
Anti-desmoglein Antibodies
- Pemphigus Vulgaris
- Flaccid Blisters
- Skin and Oral Mucosa
- Positive Nikolsky's Sign
59 secs
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