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Biochemistry | Medicine (MD/DO) School Study Aid

Normal Electrolyte Lab Values

Potassium (K⁺)

3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L

Calcium (Ca²⁺)

8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL

Phosphate (PO₄^3–)

2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL

Magnesium (Mg²⁺)

1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L

Sodium (Na⁺)

135 to 145 mEq/L

Chloride (Cl^–)

95 to 105 mEq/L

2 mins

Sodium (Na+) Lab Value

135-145 mEq/L

24 secs

Hypernatremia

> 145 mEq/L Na+

Change in LOC

Extreme Thirst

Orthostatic Hypotension

Dry Flushed Skin

Muscle Twitching

Seizures

Treat and Prevent Dehydration

Hypotonic Solutions (0.225% or 0.45% NaCl)

Sodium Restriction

Diuretics

2 mins

Hyponatremia

< 135 mEq Na+

Nausea and Vomiting

Decreased LOC

Confusion / Lethargy

Seizures

Assess Airway

Reduce Diuretic Dosage

Mannitol (Osmitrol)

Fluid Restriction

Hypertonic Solution (3% or 5% NaCl)

2 mins

Potassium (K+) Lab Value

3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L

20 secs

Hyperkalemia

> 5.0 mEq/L K+

Abdominal Cramps

Muscle Weakness

Diarrhea

Arrhythmia

Tall, Peaked T Waves

IV Calcium

Infusion of Glucose and Insulin

Loop or Thiazide Diuretics

Kayexalate

Dialysis

Prevention Education

2 mins

Hypokalemia

< 3.5 mEq/L

Muscle Weakness

Arrhythmia

U Wave

Ileus

Hyporeflexia

IV K+ Infusion at 5-10 mEq/hr

Give Orally with Food

Monitor Respiratory Status

3 mins

Calcium (Ca2+) Lab Value

8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL

26 secs

Hypercalcemia

> 10.5 mg/dL Ca²⁺

Pathologic Fractures

Lethargy

Hypercoagulation

Constipation

ECG Changes

QT Shortening

No Calcium Intake

Chelating Drugs

Calcitonin

Bisphosphonates

Loop Diuretics instead of Thiazide Diuretics

Increased Risk for Renal Calculi

Increase Fluids

3 mins

Hypocalcemia

Muscle Spasms

< 8.5 mg/dL Ca2+

Decreased Bone Density

Tetany

Chvostek's Sign

Trousseau's Sign

Increased DTR

ECG Changes

QT Prolongation

Oral and IV Replacement of Ca2+

Seizure Precautions

2 mins

Calcium Correction for Hypoalbuminemia

0.8 * (Normal Albumin - Patient Albumin) + Calcium

Multiply * 0.8

Subtract (Normal Albumin - Patient Albumin)

Add Calcium

1 min

Magnesium (Mg2+) Lab Value

1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L

28 secs

Hypermagnesemia

Flushing

Lethargy

Muscle Weakness

Decreased Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTRs)

Decreased Respirations

Bradycardia

Hypotension

Dialysis

IV Calcium Gluconate

Diuretics

Avoid Antacids and Laxatives containing Mg²⁺

2 mins

Hypomagnesemia

Confusion

Increased Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTRs)

Neuromuscular Irritability

Seizures

Muscle Cramps

Tremors

Insomnia

Tachycardia

Magnesium Sulfate

Foods High in Magnesium

1 min

Chloride (Cl-) Lab Value

95-105 mEq/L

28 secs

Phosphate (PO43-) Lab Value

2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL

29 secs

Liver Enzyme Tests: AST and ALT

AST/ALT Ratio

AST: 8-20 U/L

ALT: 8-20 U/L

1 min

Total Protein Lab Values

6.4 - 8.3 g/dL

1 min

Albumin Lab Value

3.5 - 5.5 g/dL

49 secs

Bilirubin Lab Value

0.2-1.2 mg/dL

Increased Bilirubin Causes Jaundice

54 secs

Blood Glucose Lab Value

70-100 mg/dL

25 secs

pH - Blood and Urine Lab Value

Blood

7.35 - 7.45

Urine

4.0 - 8.0

1 min

Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) Lab Values

Women: 3.5-5.5 million cells/ MuL

Men: 4.3-5.9 million cells/ MuL

1 min

Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin Has Four Iron Hemes

Lots Of Hemoglobin In Red Blood Cells

High O2 Levels Increase O2 Binding

High Temperature Reduces O2 Binding

High CO2 Levels Reduce O2 Binding

Low pH Reduces O2 Binding

Myoglobin Binds Oxygen in Muscle

2 mins

Hemoglobin (Hgb) Lab Values

Men: 13 - 17 g/dL

Women: 12 - 16 g/dL

47 secs

Hemoglobin A1c Lab Value

4-6%

1 min

Hematocrit (Hct) Lab Values

Women: 36% - 46%

Men: 41% - 53%

1 min

Platelet Lab Value

150,000-400,000 Micro L

40 secs

Bleeding Time Lab Values

2-7 Minutes

41 secs

PT/PTT Lab Values

Prothrombin Time (PT)

10-14 seconds

Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT or aPTT)

25-35 seconds

1 min

INR Lab Value

0.8-1.2 Normal Range

Warfarin

2.0-3.0

1 min

WBC Differential Lab Value

White Blood Cells (WBC)

5-10 (5,000-10,000)

Neutrophils (50%-70%)

Bands (2%-5%)

Segs (50%-70%)

Lymphocytes (20%-40%)

Monocytes (4%-8%)

Eosinophils (2%-4%)

Basophils (0.5%-1.5%)

2 mins

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) Lab Values

10-20 mg/dL

40 secs

Creatinine Lab Values

Measures Renal Function

0.6 - 1.3 mg/dL

1 min

Urine Specific Gravity Lab Value

1.003-1.030

1 min

Cardiac Enzyme Evaluation: Myoglobin

Skeletal or Cardiac Muscle Injury

Onset: 1 - 4 Hours

Peak: 12 Hours

Return to Normal: 24 Hours

Elevation After 24 Hours: Reinfarction

2 mins

Cardiac Enzyme Evaluation: Troponin

Cardiac Muscle Injury

Detection in Blood: 4 Hours

Peak: 24 - 36 Hours

Return to Normal: 5 - 14 Days

Most Specific for Cardiac Muscle

Treat Aggressively

2 mins

Troponin Lab Values

Troponin T (cTnT)

< 0.1 ng/mL Normal

Troponin I (cTnI)

< 0.5 ng/mL Normal

> 2.3 ng/mL Myocardial Injury

2 mins

Cardiac Enzyme Evaluation: Creatine Kinase CK-MB

Skeletal or Cardiac Muscle Injury

Onset: 4-8 Hours

Peak: 12-24 Hours

Return to Normal: 2-3 Days

1 min

Triglycerides Lab Value

< 150 mg/dL

51 secs

Cholesterol Lab Values

LDL (Low Density Cholesterol)

< 100 mg/dL

HDL (High Density Cholesterol)

> 40 mg/dL Males

> 50 mg/dL Females

Total Cholesterol

< 200 mg/dL

1 min

CSF Lab Values: Normal

Pressure: < 20 cm H2O

Color/Appearance: Clear or Colorless

Proteins: < 40 mg/dL

Lactate Dehydrogenase: 10% of Serum Level

Cells: 0-5 Small Lymphocytes

Glucose: 40-70 mg/dL

2 mins

Anticentromere Antibodies

Autoimmune Disorders

CREST Syndrome (Limited Scleroderma)

Diffuse Scleroderma

49 secs

Antihistone Antibodies

Drug-induced Lupus

SHIPP Acronym

Sulfonamides

Hydralazine

Isoniazid (INH)

Phenytoin

Procainamide

1 min

Anti-glomerular Basement Membrane Antibodies

Glomerulonephritis

Goodpasture's Disease

Linear immunofluorescence

Hemoptysis

Hematuria

1 min

Anti-desmoglein Antibodies

Pemphigus Vulgaris

Flaccid Blisters

Skin and Oral Mucosa

Positive Nikolsky's Sign

59 secs

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