Guide to Commonly Tested Labs
Whether a patient is visiting for routine physical exams or coming in for a minor procedure, chances are the healthcare practitioner will order labs to be drawn. Typically the healthcare practitioner will be the one to interpret the results of blood tests and labs, however, it is expected that the nurses have a strong working knowledge of the most commonly tested labs, normal lab value ranges, and their implications. Please note: the normal range of lab values may differ by location, altitude, age, gender, etc.
This resource is not intended to be a complete list of all labs and their common causes.
This resource is not intended to be a complete list of all labs and their common causes.
Guide to Commonly Tested Labs
| LAB | LOW | NORMAL RANGE | HIGH |
NaSodium |
Common Causes: AIDS, CHF, cirrhosis, heavy sweating, nephrotic syndrome, NG suctioning, vomiting, |
135 — 145 |
Common Causes: dehydration, dietary intake, diabetes, IV |
GluGlucose |
Common Causes: too much insulin, hypoglycemic meds or propranolol, adrenal issues, malnutrition
|
70 — 110 |
Common Causes: diabetes, cushings, chronic pancreatitis
|
PhosPhosphorus |
Common Causes: alcoholism, diarrhea, hypercalcemia, refeeding syndrome, vomiting, vitamin D deficiency |
2.5 — 4.5 |
Common Causes: hypoparathyroidism, cirrhosis, renal failure, diabetic ketoacidosis |
KPotassium |
Common Causes: alkolosis, ascites, burns, diarrhea, low dietary intake, vomiting and diuretics, insulin |
3.6 — 5.2 |
Common Causes: acidosis, dehydration, beta blockers, renal dysfunction |
BUNBlood Urea Nitrogen |
Common Causes: low protein diet, fluid overload, liver failure, nephrotic syndrome, starvation |
8 — 25 |
Common Causes: burns, dehydration, GI bleeding, post-renal obstruction, renal failure, shock, stress |
CrCreatinine |
Common Causes: low muscle mass, vegetarian diet, pregnancy, advanced liver disease |
0.6 — 1.2 |
Common Causes: hypothyroidism, renal failure, urinary tract obstruction |
AlbAlbumin |
Common Causes: chronic liver disease, kidney disease, CHF, diabetes, malnutrition, acute infections |
3.4 — 5.4 |
Common Causes: dehydration, shock, high protein diet |
CaCalcium |
Common Causes: alcoholism, chronic renal failure, Mg deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, pancreatitis |
8.5 — 10.5 |
Common Causes: bone cancer, renal failure, hyperparathyroidism |
TGTriglycerides |
Common Causes: Hyperthyroidism, malabsorption, malnutrition |
< 150 |
Common Causes: cirrhosis, diabetes, fatty liver disease, pancreatitis, hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, renal failure, obesity, stress |