What This Document Is
This document is a quick-reference guide to common laboratory values used in nursing, specifically within a Mental Health Nursing context (RNUR 134 at Metropolitan Community College, Missouri). It consolidates frequently encountered blood values – electrolytes, hematology results, clotting factors, respiratory analysis indicators, cardiovascular markers, liver function tests, and basic urine analysis – into a single, easily accessible resource. It’s designed as a starting point for students and practicing nurses.
Why This Document Matters
This guide is essential for anyone in a clinical setting, particularly those in Mental Health Nursing, where understanding a patient’s physiological state is crucial even when the primary focus is psychological wellbeing. Accurate interpretation of lab results informs patient assessments, care planning, and the evaluation of treatment effectiveness. It’s most useful during clinical rotations, when preparing for exams, or as a refresher for practicing RNs.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This guide is *not* a comprehensive list of all possible lab values. Normal ranges can vary slightly between laboratories. It does not provide in-depth explanations of the underlying pathophysiology associated with abnormal values, nor does it cover pediatric or geriatric specific ranges. It is a reference, not a substitute for thorough understanding of clinical concepts.
What This Document Provides
The full document includes:
* Normal ranges for key electrolytes (Phosphorous, Magnesium, Glucose).
* Complete Blood Count (CBC) parameters with interpretations (RBCs, Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, MCH, MCV, Platelets).
* Coagulation and inflammation markers (PTT, INR, D-dimer, Fibrinogen).
* Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) components.
* Lipid panel values (Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL).
* Cardiac enzyme ranges (CK MB, Troponin T).
* Liver function tests (ALT, ALP, Total Bilirubin, Albumin, Total Protein, Ammonia).
* Pancreatic enzyme levels (Amylase, Lipase).
* Urinary output, specific gravity, and pH ranges.
* Blood ethanol levels and interpretations.
This preview only provides a sampling of the included values; the full document contains a more extensive listing.