| Question |
Answer |
| Why do "normal" lab values appear as slightly higher or lower values depending on the text you are reading or the facility you are working at? | At individual labs a large number of healthy people are tested. Lab results are averaged and normal values are established for that lab. So lab value norms may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory. (Ex. Na 133-143 or 135-145) |
| What 6 lab values are included in a blood chemistry screen? And see below what are their normal values? | Na-Sodium, K-Potassium, Cl-Chloride, CO2-carbon dioxide, BUN-blood urea nitrogen, Creatinine |
| Na (Sodium) | 135-145 |
| K (Potassium) | 3.5-5.1 |
| Cl (Chloride) | 98-108 (Hint it is a value a little below Na and it rises and lowers in correlation with Na in an effort to maintain electrical neutrality) |
| CO2 (carbon dioxide) | 21-32 (It is important not to confuse CO2 content with Pco2) |
| BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) | 8-24(Hint: Think of hotdog BUN's, their are 8 BUN's in one pack and 24 BUN's in 3 packs) |
| Creatinine | 0.5-1.5 |
Science Vocab 147928
