Master Creatinine Lab Values with Picmonic for Nursing RN

Serum creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine phosphate in muscle. It is useful in measuring kidney function, as it is an easily measured byproduct of muscle metabolism. Typically, serum creatinine levels are near 0.6-1.3 mg/dL in a healthy kidney, where it is easily able to filter and excrete creatinine. Rises in creatinine can indicate renal damage or failure, where the kidney is unable to properly filter creatinine, causing this lab value to rise in the serum. Keep in mind that many sources will have ranges that vary. The existing range in this Picmonic can be used to assist clinical decisions. Many factors influence these variations including race, age, and sex.