Labs to Know for NCLEX
Gases (ABGs): assesses for acid-
Review
Lab values to know for NCLEX and
as a nurse or nursing student!
This review will target the most
important lab values you need to
know for NCLEX and as a nurse.
When you take the NCLEX exam
there is a high probability you
will have some type of lab value
question.
WHY? Because almost every
patient that walks through the
doors of a hospital will have
blood work drawn, and as the
nurse you will need to know
about the common blood tests
ordered and their normal lab
value ranges. Therefore, the
NCLEX wants to make sure you
have competent knowledge in this
area before you start working as
a licensed nurse.
What are the common blood tests?
Metabolic Panel (BMP or
CMP): This test can be basic or
comprehensive, and it
assesses fluid and
electrolytes status along with
glucose, renal and liver
function.
Complete blood count
(CBC): assesses the amount of
cells in the blood….platelets,
white blood cells, red blood
cells, hemoglobin, and
hematocrit.
Arterial Blood
base imbalances in the body…this
test is very important for
patients with respiratory or
metabolic conditions.
Coagulation Levels: assesses
clotting times (PT/INR or aPTT)…
this is very important for many
blood disorders and for patients
who are on anticoagulants.
Lipid Panel (Lipid
Profile): assesses for the risk
of cardiovascular disease by
measuring lipoproteins,
triglycerides, cholesterol.
Hemoglobin A1C: assesses average
blood glucose level during the
past 3 months…great test to
check glucose management in
patients with diabetes.
Drug Levels: assesses the amount
of drug present in a patient’s
system. Many patients are on
drugs that have a very narrow
therapeutic drug range.
Therefore, this test is helpful
in determining if a drug is
subtherapeutic or toxic in a
patient’s system.
What to expect on the NCLEX exam
with these lab values?
On the NCLEX exam, you will be
given lab values that
are noticeably abnormal. For
example, a normal Magnesium
level is 1.5-2.5 mg/dL. On the
NCLEX, it is
highly unlikely they will ask
you to choose an abnormal lab
result of a Magnesium level that
is 1.4 mg/dL or 2.6 mg/dL
because these results are way
too close to normal. They will
give you something you will
notice like <1 or >3 mg/dL.
Another important thing to point
out is that normal lab value
ranges vary depending on the
laboratory. So, don’t get
confused on if one text says a
normal Magnesium level is 1.4-
2.6 mg/dL, while another text
says a normal Magnesium is 1.5-
2.5 mg/dL. Remember to be
familiar with the average range
and keep in mind NCLEX will test
you on something that is very
abnormal.
How am I going to remember all
of these lab values as a nurse?
When you work as a nurse you
will be encountering these labs
every day, and pretty soon you
will be able to recite them in
your sleep.
Plus, when you are looking at
your patient’s results you will
be able to see the normal
reference range from the lab
that processed the blood
specimen. This will tell you the
exact normal range and how
abnormal this lab result is.
Lecture Review on Lab
Values
Labs to Know for NCLEX and
as a Nurse
Metabolic Panel
Glucose: 70–100 mg/dL
Calcium: 8.5–10.5 mg/L
Chloride: 95-105 mEq/L
Magnesium: 1.5-2.5 mg/dL
Phosphorus:2.5–4.5 mg/dL
Potassium: 3.5-5 mEq/L
Sodium: 135-145 mEq/L
BUN: 5-20
Serum creatinine: 0.6–1.2 mg/dL
Total Protein: 6.2–8.2 g/dL
Albumin: 3.4–5.4 g/dL
Bilirubin: 0.1-1 mg/dL (less 1)
(formed with the breakdown of
RBCs…high levels in patients
with jaundice)
— These are 3 enzymes found in
the liver. If elevated, it can
indicate liver problems and
other diseases.—
 ALP (alkaline phosphatase):
40-120 U/L (international
units per liter)
 ALT (alanine transaminase):
7 to 56 U/L
 AST (aspartate
transaminase) 10-40 U/L
*this blood test can be ordered
as a BMP (basic metabolic panel)
or CMP (comprehensive metabolic
panel). The CMP will include the
liver function.
Complete Blood Count
RBC: 4.5–5.5 million
WBC: 5,000–10,000
Platelets: 150,000–400,000
Hemoglobin:
 12–16 g/dL (women)
 14–18 g/dL (men)
Hematocrit:
 37 – 47% (women)
 42 – 52% (men)
Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)
pH: 7.35-7.45
pCO2: 35-45 mmHg
HCO3: 22-26 mEq/L
pO2: 80-100%
O2 sat: 95-100%
Coagulation Levels
INR/PT:
 PT (prothrombin time): 10-
12 seconds (normal level for
patients not on Warfarin)
 INR (international
normalized ration): Less
than 1 (normal level for
patients not on Warfarin).
o When a patient is
taking
the anticoagulant
Warfarin the INR should
be 2-3.
o The INR level is
calculated from the PT
level.
aPTT (activated partial
thromboplastin time):
 Normal 30-40 seconds
(not on Heparin)
o If the patient is on
Heparin, the aPTT needs
to be 1.5 to 2.5
times the normal range.
Lipid Panel (risk for
cardiovascular disease)
LDL (low density lipoprotein):
<100 mg/dL (want it LOW)
HDL (high density lipoprotein):
>60 mg/dL (want it HIGH)
Total Cholesterol: <200 mg/dL
Triglycerides: <150 mg/ dL
Hemoglobin A1C
 4-6% (target for
patients without diabetes)
 <7% (target for
patients with diabetes)
Drug Level Ranges
Digoxin: 0.5-2 ng/mL
Carbamazepine: 4-10 mcg/mL
Dilantin: 10-20 mcg/mL

Theophylline: 10-20 mcg/mL

Phenobarbital: 15-40 mcg/mL

Lithium: 0.5-1.2 mmol/L

Valproic Acid: 50-100 mcg/mL