Tricks to Remember Normal Lab Values: Nursing Chart, NCLEX Cheat Sheet
Easy tricks to remember common lab values! Covers CBC, chemistry, (BMP/CMP), LFTs, ABG, and coagulation studies. Charts included! Great for nursing, NCLEX, and USMLE!
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Normal Lab Values
With so many different lab tests available, it can be challenging to learn and memorize the normal values.
That is, until now….
We have created a list of easy tricks that will help you remember the normal lab levels of common blood tests.
This is a great review for nursing, NCLEX, and USMLE, as well as for any student and professional in the medical field.
You will learn tricks to remember the normal lab values of a complete blood count (CBC), chemistry or basic metabolic panel (BMP), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), liver function test (LFT), an arterial blood gas (ABG), and a coagulation study.
Charts are included that make great cheat sheets!
Let’s get started!
Basic Metabolic Panel
A basic metabolic panel (BMP) measures several electrolytes, renal function, and glucose.
Let’s review the main components of a BMP, as well as the tricks to remember their normal values.
**Lab values may vary depending on the lab and location.
Sodium
Sodium is one of several electrolytes measured in a BMP.
The normal range for sodium is 135-145 mEq/L.
The Trick:
Use the letters “od” in sodium to remember “odd” numbers.
Then combine the first 3 odd numbers which are 1, 3, and 5.
This will give you 135 which is the lower end of normal.
Simply add 10, and this will give you the normal range of 135-145 mEq/L.
Potassium
Potassium is another electrolyte measured in a BMP.
The normal range for potassium is 3.5-5 mEq/L.
The Trick:
When you think of potassium, think of bananas.
There are usually 3-5 bananas in a bunch, and you want to buy them 1/2 off if you can.
This will help you remember the normal range for potassium is 3.5-5 mEq/L.
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)
The basic metabolic panel also assesses renal function, which includes a BUN and creatinine.
The normal range for BUN is about 5-20 mg/dL.
The Trick:
Use the word “bun” to think of bunion.
Bunions are typically located on the toes or digits, and we have 5 digits per extremity which totals 20 digits.
This will help you remember the normal range for BUN is 5-20 mg/dL.
Creatinine
Creatinine measures renal function as well.
The normal range for creatinine is about 0.6-1.2 mg/dL.
The Trick:
Use the word “nine” in creatinine to remember 0.9.
0.9 is right in the middle of normal, and this will help you remember the normal range of 0.6-1.2 mg/dL.
Glucose
A BMP also measures glucose.
A normal glucose level is 70-100 mg/dL.
The Trick:
When you think of glucose, think of energy.
Our energy starts to decline during our elderly years, especially when we are 70-100 years old.
This will help you remember the normal range for glucose is 70-100 mg/dL.
Calcium
Calcium is another electrolyte measured in a BMP.
The normal range for calcium is 8.5-10.5 mg/dL.
The Trick:
When you think of calcium, think of milk.
A gallon of milk weighs about 8.5 pounds.
Then think of 2% milk to help you remember to add 2 to the 8.5.
This will give you the normal range for calcium of 8.5-10.5 mg/dL.
Chloride
A BMP also measures chloride which is another electrolyte.
The normal range for chloride is 95-105 mEq/L.
The Trick.
When you think of chloride, think of chlorine in a hot tub.
The average temperature of a hot tub is 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit.
This will help you remember the normal range of 95-105 mEq/L.
Bicarbonate
A BMP also measures bicarbonate which is another electrolyte primarily involved in the body’s acid-base balance.
The normal range for bicarbonate is about 23-29 mEq/L.
The Trick:
When you think of bicarbonate, think of carbonation and soda.
Soda is usually sold in a 12 pack.
However, it’s bicarbonate so we need to multiply the 12 by 2 (BI = 2).
This gives us 24, which will help us remember the normal range of 23-29 mEq/L.
Normal Lab Value Chart: Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
Word Associations
In summary, the word associations to remember for BMP are the following:
Sodium = Odd Numbers
Potassium = Bananas
BUN = Bunions
Creatinine = Nine
Glucose = Energy
Calcium = Milk
Chloride = Hot Tub (Chlorine)
Bicarbonate = Carbonation/Soda x 2
Normal Lab Value Chart: Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
A comprehensive metabolic panel primarily adds a liver function panel/test (LFT) to everything in a basic metabolic panel.
Total protein and a few more electrolytes may also be included depending on the lab.
Let’s review the main components of a liver function panel, as well as the tricks to remember their normal values.
**Lab values may vary depending on the lab and location.
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)
AST and ALT are 2 hepatic enzymes measured in a liver function panel.
The way you can differentiate them is with the “S” and “L”.
The normal range for AST is about 9-40 U/L.
The Trick:
Use the “S” to remember School.
An average school day is from 9am-4pm.
This will help you remember the normal range for AST is 9-40 U/L.
Another way to think of AST is to use the 9am start time for school, and then an average school week is about 40 hours when you factor in homework.
This too can help you remember the normal range of 9-40 U/L.
ALT (Alanine Transaminase)
The normal range for ALT is about 7-60 U/L.
The Trick:
Similar to how we used the “S” in AST to remember school, we are going to use the “L” in ALT to remember labor (work).
An average work day is longer than a school day, and it may begin at 7am and finish at 6pm.
This will help you remember the normal range for ALT is about 7-60 U/L.
Another way to think of ALT is to use the 7am start time for work, and then an average work week might be 60 hours.
This too can help you remember the normal range of 7-60 U/L.
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
Another enzyme measured in a liver function panel is alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
ALP may be elevated in hepatobiliary diseases, as well as in some bone diseases.
The normal range for alkaline phosphatase is 40-120 U/L.
The Trick:
When you think of phosphatase, think of phosphate.
Then use the “ate” (eight) in phosphate to remember 80 (eight-y).
80 is right in the middle of normal, and this will help you remember the normal range of 40-120 U/L.
Bilirubin
Next we have bilirubin which is typically included in liver function tests.
A normal bilirubin level is < 1 mg/dL.
The Trick:
You can use the “rubin” in bilirubin to remember a Reuben sandwich.
When you order a Reuben at a restaurant, you usually get 1 sandwich.
This will help you remember a normal value for bilirubin is < 1 mg/dL.
Albumin
Lastly, we have albumin which is a protein produced by the liver.
The normal range of albumin is about 3.4-5.4 g/dL.
The Trick:
When you think of albumin, think of protein or a protein shake.
There are usually 3-5 ingredients in a protein shake, especially if making a homemade one.
This will help you remember the normal range for albumin is about 3.4-5.4 g/dL.
Normal Lab Value Chart: Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)/Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
Word Associations
In summary, the word associations to remember for liver function tests (LFTs) are the following:
AST = School
ALT = Labor (Work)
Alkaline Phosphatase = Phosphate/Eight-y
Bilirubin = Reuben Sandwich
Albumin = Protein Shake
Normal Lab Value Chart: Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)/Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A complete blood count (CBC) primarily measures white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.
It may also include additional differential information.
Let’s now review the main components of a CBC, and how we can remember their normal values.
**Lab values may vary depending on the lab and location.
WBC (White Blood Cells)
The normal range for WBCs is about 5,000-10,000/mcL.
The Trick:
You can use “WBC” as an acronym to remember Wanna Buy a Car for $5,000-$10,000.
This will help you remember the normal range for WBCs is about 5,000-10,000/mcL.
RBC (Red Blood Cells)
The normal range for RBCs is about 4.5-5.5 million/mcL.
The Trick:
When you think of red blood cells, think of blood.
An adult human body has approximately 4.5-5.5L of blood.
This correlates perfectly with the normal range for red blood cells of 4.5-5.5 million/mcL.
Hemoglobin
The normal range for hemoglobin is 12-18 g/dL.
The Trick:
When you think of hemoglobin, think of oxygen as hemoglobin carries and transfers oxygen.
The average adult takes 12-18 breaths per minute at rest.
This will help you remember the normal range for hemoglobin is 12-18 g/dL.
A normal hemoglobin for females is about 12-16 g/dL, and a normal hemoglobin for males is about 14-18 g/dL.
Hematocrit
The normal range for hematocrit is about 37-50%.
The Trick:
When you think of hematocrit, think of hematocrisis and a midlife crisis which typically occurs between 40-50 years old.
This will help you remember a normal range of about 37-50%.
A normal hematocrit for females is about 37-47%, and a normal hematocrit for males is about 42-50%.
Platelet
Lastly, we have platelets which has a normal range of 150,000-400,000/mcL.
The Trick:
When you think of platelets, think of the word plate.
Fine China plate sets may cost anywhere from $150-400 on average.
This will help you remember a normal range of 150,000-400,000/mcL.
Normal Lab Value Chart: Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Word Associations
In summary, the word associations to remember for a CBC are the following:
WBC = Wanna Buy a Car
RBC = Blood
Hemoglobin = Oxygen
Hematocrit = Hematocrisis
Platelet = China Plates
Normal Lab Value Chart: Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
An arterial blood gas (ABG) assesses a patient’s acid-base status.
The main components of an ABG that help determine the acid-base status include the pH, PaCO2, and HCO3 (bicarbonate).
The PaO2 and oxygen saturations are usually provided as well.
Let’s now review the main components of an ABG, and how we can remember their normal values.
**Lab values may vary depending on the lab and location.
pH
A normal pH is 7.35-7.45.
The Trick:
We know the pH scale ranges from 0-14, and we know the body likes to be in homeostasis.
As a result, the normal pH of the body is going to be about 7.
Now how can we remember that it is specifically 7.4?
You can use the “pH” to spell the word “Four” (4) with a “pH” instead of an “F”.
This will help you remember a normal pH is 7.4 with a range of 7.35-7.45.
PaCO2
The normal range for a PaCO2 is 35-45 mmHg.
The Trick:
Simply use the decimal numbers in the pH normal range (35-45).
This will help you remember the normal range for PaCO2 is 35-45 mmHg.
HCO3 (Bicarbonate)
Finally, we have bicarbonate which has a normal ABG range of 22-26 mEq/L.
The Trick:
Bicarbonate was discussed above when reviewing the basic metabolic panel.
When you think of bicarbonate, think of carbonation and a 12 pack of soda.
We are going to multiply the 12 by 2 since bi means 2, and this will give us 24.
This will help you remember the normal range of bicarbonate on an ABG is 22-26 mEq/L.
Normal Lab Value Chart: Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
Word Associations
In summary, the word associations to remember for an ABG are the following:
pH = 7.4 (‘PH’our)
PaCO2 = pH Decimal Numbers
HCO3 (Bicarbonate) = Carbonation/Soda x 2
Normal Lab Value Chart: Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
Coagulation Studies
Coagulation studies are used to assess the blood’s ability to clot, and how long it takes to clot.
We will focus on 3 main components of a coagulation study - INR, PT, and PTT.
Let’s review these components and how we can remember their normal values.
**Lab values may vary depending on the lab and location.
INR (International Normalized Ratio)
An INR of < 1 is considered normal in healthy individuals.
The Trick:
You can use the letter “I” in INR to remember the number 1.
This will help you remember the normal range of < 1.
PT (Prothrombin Time)
Next is the PT which has a normal range of 10-12 seconds.
The Trick:
You can use the “T” in PT to remember “Ten”.
This will help you remember the PT is normally 10-12 seconds.
PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time)
The normal range for PTT is about 30-40 seconds.
The Trick:
Similar to PT, you can use the “T’s” to help you remember the normal range.
You can use the first “T” to remember “Ten” and the second “T” to remember “Twenty/Thirty”.
This will give you the normal range of 30-40 seconds when you add them up.
Normal Lab Value Chart: Coagulation Studies
Word Associations
In summary, the word associations to remember for a coagulation study are the following:
INR = “I” and 1 (One)
PT = Ten
PTT = Ten + Twenty or Thirty
Normal Lab Value Chart: Coagulation Studies
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