Nursing Tips: Lab Values

Calcium (Ca) expected range: 9 - 10.5 mEq/L HINT: California (CA) is due for a big earthquake that may measure 9 - 10.5 on the Richter scale.

Potassium (K) expected range: 3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L

Potassium (K) expected range: 3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L HINT #1: There are ~3.1 miles in a 5K HINT #2: Bananas (high in Potassium!) come in bunches of 3-5.

Magnesium (Mg) expected range: 1.3 - 2.1 mEq/L HINT: MGs are very small British cars - you can only fit 1-2 people in them.

Chloride (Cl) expected range: 98 - 106 mEq/L HINT: I like my hot tub chlorinated, with a temperature between 98-106 degrees.

When evaluating a patient's nutritional status, be sure to check: albumin (normal range: 3.5-5) and prealbumin levels (normal range 15-36).