Common Significant Labs Worksheet
What tests are included in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)?
RBC, WBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Platelets
What is the difference between a CBC and a CBC with differential?
A CBC lists the values above. A CBC with a differential lists the values above as well as the
values of the types of white blood cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, basophils, and
monocytes).
What tests are included in a Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)?
Potassium, sodium, glucose, CO2, BUN, Creatinine, chloride
What do “critical lab values” mean?
Critical lab values are any values that are out of the normal range far enough to indicate a
health problem that needs immediate attention.
What does BNP stand for? When would we check a BNP?
BNP stands for Brain Natriuretic Peptide. A BNP would be checked in a person with Heart
failure or cardiomyopathy. This is a protein released when the ventricles of the heart start to
stretch, like in CHF and cardiomyopathy.
What are some situations where a provider might order a troponin lab draw? How often is it
repeated and when would you stop checking it?
A Troponin lab draw will be ordered if an MI is suspected. The labs should be drawn every 6
hours and labs should usually be monitored for 3 days depending on the patient.
Complete the table below for these common labs and use the information in your table to help
you answer the questions on the back of this page:
Normal What could cause this lab What could cause this lab value
Lab
Range value to be HIGH? to be LOW?
Potassium 3.5-5 mEq/L Acidosis Diuretic use
Sodium 135-145 mEq/L Dehydration, CKD Excess Water, SIADH
Diabetes/too much sugar and Diabetes/too much insulin and
Glucose 70-100 mg/dL
not enough insulin not enough sugar
Creatinine 0.6-1.2 mg/dL CKD Muscular Dystrophy
Common Significant Labs Worksheet
WBC 5,000-10,000 Infection Cancer (Chemotherapy)
Men: 13.5-16.5
Hemoglobin Polycythemia Vera Anemia
Women: 12-15
150,000-
Platelets Thrombocytosis Thrombocytopenia
400,000
Lab results for Patient A:
WBC 9.0 Sodium 135 BUN 28
Hemoglobin 11.0 Chloride 105 Creatinine 4.2
Hematocrit 45 Potassium 6.1* Glucose 236
Platelets 175 CO2 25
Circle or highlight all of the abnormal values above. Put a star next to any values that are critically high
or low.
Based on the abnormal lab values, what system or condition do you think is driving the abnormal
values? Diminished Kidney Function/ uncontrolled diabetes
What nursing interventions are going to be most important for this patient based on these labs?
Manage symptoms of hyperkalemia. Give medications as prescribed (Calcium chloride first to reduce
cardiac toxicity, diuretics to flush potassium, insulin with D50). Monitor for dysrhythmias or cardiac
issues.
Lab results for Patient B:
WBC 15.4** Sodium 145 BUN 17
Hemoglobin 12.6 Chloride 110 Creatinine 1.1
Hematocrit 45 Potassium 3.2 Glucose 172
Platelets 175 CO2 23
Circle or highlight all of the abnormal values above. Put a star next to any values that are critically high
or low.
Based on the abnormal lab values, what system or condition do you think is driving the abnormal
values? Infection
What nursing interventions are going to be most important for this patient based on these labs?
Getting orders for a differential to identify what white blood cell values have increased. Take
infection precautions. Teach of washing hands, sterile dressing changes, encourage fluid
intake.
Common Significant Labs Worksheet
Lab results for Patient C:
WBC 1.9* Sodium 135 BUN 10
Hemoglobin 6.5* Chloride 108 Creatinine 0.9
Hematocrit 24* Potassium 3.6 Glucose 83
Platelets 47* CO2 24
Circle or highlight all of the abnormal values above. Put a star next to any values that are critically high
or low.
Based on the abnormal lab values, what system or condition do you think is driving the abnormal
values? Pancytopenia. Bone marrow suppression, Aplastic Anemia.
What nursing interventions are going to be most important for this patient based on these labs?
IV fluids and PRBC as prescribed (Monitor). Monitor cardiac function and BP. Take infection
precautions and neutropenic precautions. Assess for bruising/bleeding.
