Laboratory Values
*This list is based on current values listed by ATI and is likely not comprehensive. But it is a good place to
start. Add on as you go through nursing school.
*Values listed are blood values, unless otherwise specified. These are adult values.
1. Electrolytes and Glucose
Electrolyte Normal range
Sodium, Na+ 136-145 mEq/L
Potassium, K+ 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Chloride, Cl- 98-106 mEq/L
Calcium, Ca2+ 9-10.5 mg/dL
Phosphorous, P 2.5-4.5 mg/dL
Magnesium, Mg2+ 1.3-2.1 mg/dL
Glucose measures
Fasting blood glucose <100 mg/dL
Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) 5-7%
2. Hematology
Complete blood count (CBC)
Component Normal range Interpretation of findings
High: erythrocytosis, polycythemia, severe
Females: 4.2-5.4 x 106 cells/uL
RBCs (erythrocytes) dehydration
Males: 4.7-6.1 x 106 cells/uL Low: anemia, hemorrhage, renal disease
Females: 37-47% Males: High: erythrocytosis, COPD, severe dehydration
Hct (hematocrit)
42-52% Low: anemia, hemorrhage, renal disease
Females: 12-16 g/dL Males: High: erythrocytosis, COPD, severe dehydration
Hb (hemoglobin)
14-18 g/dL Low: anemia, hemorrhage, renal disease
MCH (mean High: megaloblastic anemia Low:
27-31 pg/cell
corpuscular Hb) iron deficiency anemia
MCV (mean High: megaloblastic anemia Low:
80-95 fL
corpuscular volume) iron deficiency anemia
High: malignancy, polycythemia, rheumatoid
Platelets 150,000-400,000 cells/mm3 arthritis
Low: splenomegaly, hemorrhage, leukemia
High: infection, inflammation
WBCs (leukocytes) 5,000-10,000 cells/mm3
Low: immunosuppression, autoimmune disease
Females: 60-160 mcg/dL High: liver disorder, lead toxicity
Iron (not part of CBC)
Males: 80-180 mcg/dL Low: iron deficiency anemia, chronic blood loss
1
What is a CBC? The complete blood count (CBC) is a group of tests that evaluate the cells that circulate in
blood, including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets (PLTs). The CBC detect a
variety of diseases and conditions, such as infections, anemia and leukemia.
Clotting and Inflammation
Laboratory measure Normal range Interpretation of findings
Increased: vitamin K deficiency, DIC, liver
PTT (prothrombin time) 30-40 seconds disease, heparin therapy Decreased:
extensive cancer
PT (partial thromboplastin
11-12.5 seconds Same as PTT
time)
INR 0.78-1.1 Elevated: warfarin therapy
Positive: DIC, malignancy
D-dimer <0.4 mcg/dL
Negative: rule out PE or DVT
Fibrinogen 200-400 mg/dL High: acute inflammation/infection, heart disease
3. Respiratory
Arterial blood gas (ABG). An arterial blood gas (ABG) sample reports the status of oxygenation and acid-base
balance of the blood. (often done by respiratory therapist) An ABG measures the following:
• pH: amount of free hydrogen ions in the arterial blood (H+)
• PaO2: partial pressure of oxygen
• PaCO2: partial pressure of carbon dioxide
• HCO3¯ : concentration of bicarbonate in arterial blood
Normal Values
pH 7.35 – 7.45
PO 80-100 mmHg
2
PCO 35 – 45 mmHg
2
HCO 21-28 mEq/L
3
4. Cardiovascular
Lipids
Type Desired Value Purpose
Total cholesterol <200 mg/dL Screening for heart disease
LDL <130 mg/dL ‘bad cholesterol’ – transports cholesterol from cells to liver
Females: 35-135 mg/dL
Triglycerides Higher levels associated with increased heart disease risk
Males: 40-160 mg/dL
2
Females: >55 mg/dL ‘good’ cholesterol – protects from heart disease by
HDL
Males: >45 mg/dL transporting cholesterol from cells to liver
Cardiac enzymes
Type Expected range (normal) Timing after myocardial injury
First detected 3-6 hours after injury. Remains elevated 2-3
CK MB 30-170 units/L
days
First detected 2-3 hours after injury. Remains elevated
Troponin T <0.1 ng/mL
1014 days
5. Gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary
Blood test Normal range Interpretation of findings
Liver enzymes
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 0-35 units/L Elevated in hepatitis or cirrhosis
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 4-36 units/L Same as above
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 30-120 units/L Elevated with liver damage
Other liver tests
Elevated with altered liver function, bile duct
Total bilirubin 0.3-1 mg/dL
obstruction
Direct (conjugated) bilirubin 0.1-0.3 mg/dL Same as above
Indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin 0.2-0.8 mg/dL Same as above
Albumin 3.5-5 g/dL Decreased in liver disease
Total protein (albumin + globulin) 6 – 8.3 g/dL Decreased in liver disease
Ammonia 10-80 mcg/dL Elevated in liver disease
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) 140 – 280 U/L Elevated in tissue damage from anemia, liver
disease, lung disease, infections
Pancreatic enzymes
Amylase 30-220 units/L Elevated in pancreatitis
Lipase 0-160 units/L Same as above
6. Renal
Measure Normal Range Interpretation of Findings
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 8-20 mg/dL High: renal impairment, dehydration
Creatinine (Cr) 0.6-1.2 mg/dL High: renal impairment
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) >90 ml/min Low: decreased renal function
Urinalysis
Urinary output 30 ml/hr Low: renal injury or impairment
Specific gravity 1.005-1.030 High: dehydration
Normal urine pH 4.5 – 8.0 Usual values are 6.0 – 7.5
7. MIscellanous
3
Blood test Normal range Interpretation of findings
Ethanol < 50 mg/dL or Individual is not considered intoxicated
0.05% 0.08% ethanol level – alcohol limit for drivers
