CONVERSION FACTORS

ANALYTE CONVENTIONAL UNIT SI UNIT CONVERSION FACTOR

Albumin g/dL g/L 10
AST (SGOT) U/L (mU/mL) kat/L 0.0167
Ammonia g/dL mol/L 0.587
Bicarbonate mEq/L mmol/L 1
Bilirubin mg/dL mol/L 17.1
BUN mg/dL mmol/L 0.357
Calcium mg/dL mmol/L 0.25
Chloride mEq/L mmol/L 1
Cholesterol mg/dL mmol/L 0.026
Cortisol g/dL mol/L 0.0276
Creatinine mg/dL mol/L 88.4
Creat. Clearance mL/min mL/s 0.0167
Folic Acid ng/mL nmol/L 2.27
Glucose mg/dL mmol/L 0.0555
Hemoglobin g/dL g/L 10
Iron mg/dL mol/L 0.179
Lithium mEq/L mol/L 1
Magnesium mEq/L mmol/L 0.5
Osmolality mOsm/kg mmol/kg 1
Phosphorus mg/dL mmol/L 0.323
Potassium mEq/L mmol/L 1
Sodium mEq/L mmol/L 1
Thyroxine (T4) g/dL nmol/L 12.9
Total Protein g/dL g/L 10
Triglycerides mg/dL mmol/L 0.0113
Uric Acid mg/dL mmol/L 0.0595
Vitamin B12
(Transcobalamin)
ng/mL pmol/L 0.0738
PCO2 mmHg kPa 0.133
PO2 mmHg kPa 0.133

PANIC VALUES

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY CRITICAL VALUES

Bilirubin > 18 mg/dL (NEWBORN)
Glucose < 40 mg/dL > 500 mg/dL
Potassium < 2.5 mEq/L > 6.5 mEq/L
Bicarbonate < 10 mEq/L > 40 mEq/L
Arterial or Capillary pH < 7.2 > 7.6
Phosphate < 1 mg/dL
Calcium < 6 mg/dL >13 mg/dL
Sodium < 120 mEq/L > 160 mEq/L
Arterial or Capillary PO2 < 40 mmHg
Arterial or Capillary PCO2 < 20 mmHg > 70 mmHg

HEMATOLOGY CRITICAL VALUES

HEMATOCRIT < 14% > 60%
WBC COUNT
< 2, 000 cells/L on a new
patient or a difference from
previous, if less than 4, 000
cells/L
> 50, 000 cells/L on
a new patient
RETICULOCYTE > 20%
PLATELETS
< 20, 000 cells/L and not
previously reported
> 1 million cells/L
SMEAR
Showing leukemic cells (Progranulocytic or Blast)
Shows abnormal leukemoid reaction
Positive for malaria and other parasites
PROTHROMBIN TIME > 40 seconds


SUBSTITUTION STUDIES

FACTOR APTT PT TT
SUBSTITUTION STUDIES
NORMAL
PLASMA
ADSORBED
PLASMA
AGED
SERUM
I ABN ABN ABN C C NC
II ABN ABN N C NC NC
V ABN ABN N C C NC
VII N ABN N C NC C
VIII ABN N N C C NC
IX ABN N N C NC C
X ABN ABN N C NC C
XI or XII ABN N N C C C

ACID BASE BALANCE
(DEFECTS AND COMPENSATORY MECHANISMS)

CONDITION DEFECT COMPENSATORY MECHANISM
Respiratory
Acidosis
Lungs DEC. pCO2
Kidneys
(Renal)
INC. HCO3

Respiratory
Alkalosis
Lungs INC. pCO2
Kidneys
(Renal)
DEC. HCO3
Metabolic
Acidosis
Kidneys
(Renal)
INC. HCO3

Lungs DEC. pCO2
Metabolic
Alkalosis
Kidneys
(Renal)
DEC. HCO3 Lungs INC. pCO2