Remember Lab Values with Mnemonics by Picmonic
Picmonic makes learning and remembering lab values a breeze. We transform complex tests into unforgettable pictures with powerful lab values mnemonics. Engaging characters, stories, and quizzes solidify your understanding of normal ranges and abnormal findings. Master lab interpretation and boost patient care with Picmonic!
Fundamentals of Nursing | Registered Nurse (RN) 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
Potassium (K+) Lab Value
- 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L
20 secs
Sodium (Na+) Lab Value
- 135-145 mEq/L
24 secs
Chloride (Cl-) Lab Value
- 95-105 mEq/L
28 secs
Calcium (Ca2+) Lab Value
- 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL
26 secs
Phosphate (PO43-) Lab Value
- 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL
29 secs
Magnesium (Mg2+) Lab Value
- 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L
28 secs
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
Bilirubin Lab Value
- 0.2-1.2 mg/dL
- Increased Bilirubin Causes Jaundice
54 secs
Albumin Lab Value
- 3.5 - 5.5 g/dL
49 secs
Total Protein Lab Values
- 6.4 - 8.3 g/dL
1 min
Liver Enzyme Tests: AST and ALT
- AST/ALT Ratio
- AST: 8-20 U/L
- ALT: 8-20 U/L
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
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 (Hgb) Lab Values
- Men: 13 - 17 g/dL
- Women: 12 - 16 g/dL
47 secs
Hematocrit (Hct) Lab Values
- Women: 36% - 46%
- Men: 41% - 53%
1 min
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
Platelet Lab Value
- 150,000-400,000 Micro L
40 secs
Bleeding Time Lab Values
- 2-7 Minutes
41 secs
pH - Blood and Urine Lab Value
- Blood
- 7.35 - 7.45
- Urine
- 4.0 - 8.0
1 min
Urine Specific Gravity Lab Value
- 1.003-1.030
1 min
Blood Glucose Lab Value
- 70-100 mg/dL
25 secs
Hemoglobin A1c Lab Value
- 4-6%
1 min
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
Triglycerides Lab Value
- < 150 mg/dL
51 secs
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: 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
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
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
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