How to Remember Nursing Lab Values for the NCLEX Exam

Urine, blood, and tissue samples enable nurses to identify risks and monitor patient health on a daily basis. Lab values must be accurately recorded, regularly monitored, and thoroughly evaluated by every licensed nurse.

Before you take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), you must memorize the normal range of lab values and understand what abnormal results could mean for a patient’s health. While challenging, this feat can be conquered with the right study approach. Explore our guide on how to recall nursing lab values for the NCLEX!

Common Lab Values Nursing Students Must Know

There are numerous nursing lab values to remember. If numbers aren’t your forte, it can be tricky to recall each value. That’s where we come in—we’ve compiled and highlighted the common values you need to know before the NCLEX. 

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

   1. Hemoglobin

      1. Men: 13-17 g/dL
      2. Women: 12-16 g/dL

   2. Hemotacrit (HCT)

      1. Men: 41-53%
      2. Women: 36-46%

   3. White Blood Cells (WBC): 4,500-11,000
   4. Platelet: 150,000-400,000

2. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

   1. Potassium (K+): 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L
   2. Calcium (Ca2+): 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL
   3. Phosphate (PO43–): 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL
   4. Magnesium (Mg2+): 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L
   5. Sodium (Na+): 135 to 145 mEq/L
   6. Chloride (Cl–): 95 to 105 mEq/L
   7. Fasting Glucose: 70-100 mg/dL
   8. BUN: 10-20 mg/dL
   9. Creatinine: 0.6-1.3mg/dL
   10. Liver Enzyme Tests

       1. AST: 8-20 U/L
       2. ALT: 8-20 U/L

3. Arterial Blood Gases

   1. pO2: 75-100%
   2. O2 saturation: 95-100% SaO₂
   3. pH: 7.35-7.45
   4. PaCO2: 35-45 mmHg
   5. HCO3: 22-26 mEq/L

4. Coagulation Level

   1. INR

      1. Normal: 0.8-1.2 
      2. With Warfarin: 2.0-3.0

   2. PT: 10-14 seconds
   3. PTT or aPTT: 25-35 seconds

5. Lipid Panel

   1. High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)

      1. Men: >40 mg/dL
      2. Women: >50mg/dL

   2. Low Density Cholesterol (LDC): <100
   3. Total Cholesterol: <200mg/dL
   4. Triglycerides: <150mg/dL

6. Hemoglobin A1C

   1. Normal: < 5.7%
   2. Prediabetes: 5.7%-6%
   3. Diabetes: > 6.5%

7. Cardiac Biomarkers

   1. Troponin

      1. Troponin T: <0.1ng/mL
      2. Troponin I: <0.5 ng/mL

*Note: These values are within general clinical ranges. However, values may vary by lab/assay.

Pro Tip: Group Values by System, Not Numbers

Group electrolytes, hematology, lipids, and other systems into their own lists. Study each list separately, rather than all at once. By doing this, you’re utilizing a memory technique known as chunking, which breaks down large amounts of information into manageable groups to facilitate easier recall. Think of it as an information bucket—a group of smaller buckets is easier to carry (or remember, in this case) than a large one!

Recognize What Abnormal Lab Values Might Signal 

Lab values, whether high or low, help nurses identify risk factors for diseases, aid in diagnosing a condition, monitor a patient’s health, and more. The ability to recognize and analyze abnormal lab results is essential for the NCLEX. You’ll be asked to identify these values as well as the course of action to take when the value is low or high.

Below are just a few examples of what abnormal lab values could signal:

• Low hemoglobin levels may indicate a hemorrhage, anemia, or kidney disease.
• High WBCs could signify infection, while low WBCs could be drug toxicity, bone marrow suppression, or autoimmune disease. 
• Low blood platelets mean patients are at a high risk of bleeding.
• A high BUN value can be caused by kidney disease or dehydration. 

Try Active Recall and Spaced Repetition 

Passive learning won’t be very useful for memorizing lab values. Memory techniques such as active recall, spaced repetition, and the use of mnemonics are among the most effective strategies for retaining information long-term.”

Active recall can be performed through taking quizzes or using flashcards. Spaced repetition, on the other hand, can be easily implemented into any study routine. Simply review your flashcards and take a short quiz over timed intervals to strengthen your retention of each nursing lab value. 

Picmonic can be a great resource for spaced-repetition quizzing. Our smart algorithm alerts you when you need to review lab values before they slip your mind!

Use Visual-Based Learning to Memorize Nursing Lab Values

According to the picture-superiority effect, people tend to remember pictures better than text. No, that doesn’t mean you have photographic memory—your brain just prioritizes memorizing visuals over words. 

But when you pair an image with text and audio, the memory becomes even stronger, making videos a reliable learning tool for memorizing NCLEX lab values. The senses basically stimulate your brain! Picmonic’s lab values playlist is highly beneficial for visual learners. Watch short videos with memory aids, plus wacky stories and characters, to help you recall the must-know lab values for the NCLEX.

Cultivate a 4-Step Study Plan

You’ve nailed the study techniques—what’s next? We’ll help you get started! Maintain a simple yet effective study approach with just four steps.

Step 1: Master core labs by system

You don’t have to remember the exact values by decimal point, but you should be able to identify abnormal ranges. On the NCLEX, you must understand the course of action to take when you encounter a value out of its typical range! 

Step 2: Drill red flag ranges

When a nursing lab value is abnormal, it’s an indicator that something else is amiss. Some critical ranges to be aware of include those in categories such as cardiac biomarkers and arterial blood gases. 

Step 3: Daily recall practice with flashcards or Picmonic quizzes

Daily practice keeps information fresh, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply download the Picmonic app and take your daily spaced repetition quiz on the go. Alternatively, you can watch a brief Picmonic video and take the follow-up quiz. It’s entirely up to you!

Step 4: Apply your knowledge to NCLEX practice questions

Lastly, you’ll want to apply what you know and see how far you’ve come. Take an NCLEX practice exam or use a question bank to test yourself and identify any knowledge gaps. Your results will indicate how prepared you are. When in doubt, repeat steps 2 and 3 for more practice. 

Don’t forget, we’ve got your back! Explore Picmonic’s lab values playlist to study with engaging mnemonics and prepare for the NCLEX.