ATI/NCLEX Review: Basic Lab Values
This is an overview of the most common lab values that you should be familiar with prior to taking the ATI and NCLEX. They may be included in questions throughout the test. Please note that there could be some slight variations depending on the lab/facility. If you come across any labs included on NCLEX or ATI questions/practice tests that are not included on this list, please let me know and I will add it!
Serum Electrolytes
Sodium (Na+): 135-145 mEq/L
Potassium (K+): 3.5-5.1 mEq/L
Calcium (Ca2+): 8.5–10.9 mg/L
Chloride (Cl-): 95-105 mEq/L
Magnesium (Mg2+): 1.5-2.5 mg/dL
Phosphorus (P, PO4): 2.5–4.5 mg/dL
Hematology Values
Hemoglobin: 12–16 g/dL (Women); 14–18 g/dL (Men)
Hematocrit: 37 – 47% (Women); 42 – 52% Men
WBC: 5,000–10,000
Platelets: 200,000–400,000
RBC: 4.5–5.0 million (average) 4.2 to 5.4 million/uL (Women); 4.7 to 6.1 million/uL (Men)
ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate): < 20 mm/hr
Coagulation Studies
PT (Prothrombin time): 11 to 12.5 seconds (Control) aPTT (Partial thromboplastin time): 30 to 40 seconds
INR (International normalized ratio): 0.7 to 1.8
D-dimer: 0.43 to 2.33 mcg/mL or 0 to 250 ng/mL
Fibrinogen levels: 170 to 340 mg/dL
Fibrin degradation products: < 10 mcg/mL
Chemistry Values
Glucose (fasting): 70-110 mg/dL
HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin): <6% (5% up to 7% in patients with DM)
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): 7–22m g/dL
Serum creatinine: 0.6–1.35 mg/dL (< 2 in older adults)
LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase): 100–190 U/L
CPK (Creatine Phosphokinase; CK): 21–232 U/L
Protein (Total Protein): 6.2–8.1 g/dL
Uric acid (Serum Urate): 3.5–7.5 mg/dL
Albumin: 3.4–5.0 g/dL
Ammonia (NH3): 35-65 mcg/dL
BNP (Brain natriuretic peptide): <50
Troponins: normal <0.2 ng/dL *gold standard for MI
Bilirubin
Total: 0-1.0
Unconjugated (indirect): 0.2 -0.8 mg/dL
Conjugated (direct): 0.1 1.0 mg/dL
Cholesterol
Total Serum Cholesterol: <200 mg/dL (if at risk for cardiac stroke events: <150 mg/dL)
LDL (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol): "bad" <100 mg/dL
HDL (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol): "good >40 mg (men); >50 mg (women)
Triglycerides: <150 mg/dL (level if on medication < 100 mg/dL)
Iron Studies
Iron (Fe): Females: 60 to 160 mcg/dL; Males: 80 to 180 mcg/dL
MCV (Mean corpuscular volume): 80 to 95 mm3
MCH (Mean corpuscular Hgb): 27 to 31 pg/cell
TIBC (Total iron-binding count): 250 to 460 mcg/dL
Reticulocyte Count: 0.5%-2.5% of RBC
RDW (Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW): 11-16%
