Lab Normals for Exam 3

Serum Potassium= 3.5- 5

K+ less than 3.5

Symptoms: abnormal heart rhythms - atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, palpitations, weakness, flaccid paralysis, postural hypotension

• Electrolyte Replacement therapy = Potassium *MUST be used w/ extreme caution, can cause cardiac arrest and venous irritation with too rapid admin (iv)
• oral preps- lqd/elixer. give with meals
• IV- Kphos or KCL (usually potassium chloride)
• - for maintenance no greater than 40 MEq/L
• - For "bolus" no more than 10 MEq per hour for peripheral line or 20 MEq for central **MUST BE DILUTED IN AT LEAST 50ml of fluid for each 10 MEq

• K+ > 5.0
• *nausea, diarrhea, muscle weakness, postural
• hypotension, EKG changes
• * Only Potassium Sparing Diuretics [Aldactone (spironolatone)] cause hyperkalemia

Blood Urea Nitrogen= 11-23

Creatine= .6-1.2

7.35-7.45

pH < 7.35 = Acidosis: caused by kidney retaining excess H+ ion (acid) or wasting HCO3--(Can be suspected with serum CO2 < 21)

pH > 7.45 = Alkolosis: caused by kidney retaining excess amounts of (HCO3 (base) Can be suspected with serum CO2 > 24)

• Renous = 23-29
• Arterial = 21-27

Phosphate = 3-4.5

Magnesium = 1.3-2.1

Mg<1.3

cardiac dysrhythmias, nausea & vomiting, lethargy, muscle weakness, tremors, tetany

• *Magnesium (1-4 gms common)
• 1. Oral Preparations- Magnesium Oxide is most common form.
• 2. IV Replacement: Magnesium Sulfate is most common form. Usually given as Piggyback over 1 hour, but
• can be pushed over 1 min in an emergent
• situation. Use here is for replacement only, not as therapy as is used in Labor and Delivery situations.

Hematocrit =

• Men 40-54
• Women 37-47

Hemoglobin

• Men 13-18
• Women 12-16

10-150 or Negative

Serum Calcium = 8.4-10.2

• Hypocalcemia= Ca+<8.4
• Signs & symptoms = irritability, twitching, vomiting & diarrhea, hyperactive reflexes, cardiac dysrhythmias, tetany and seizures

Serum Sodium = 135-145

Hyponatremia, Hypernatremia

Na+ less than 135

lethargy, disorientation, muscle tenseness, seizures, coma

Chloride = 100-110

hYPOCHLOREMIA- Usually follows sodium)

150,000 - 400,000

Decreased blood volume

• -hypotension, weak pulse, tachycardia, clammy
• skin, rapid respirations, reduced urinary output