Lab Values

Question 1

CBC (complete blood count)

Answer 1

• RBC count
• Hemoglobin
• Hematocrit
• MCV
• MCH
• MCHC
• RDW
• Platelet
• WBC

Question 2

Erythrocyte count (RBC)

Answer 2

3.89-5.40 M/uL
RBC indices:
- MCV: 80-95 fL
- RDW: 11-14.5%
- MCH: 27-31 pg
- MCHC: 32-36 g/dL

Question 3

High RBC

Answer 3

Congenital heart disease, Severe COPD, Polycythemia vera, Severe dehydration

Question 4

Low RBC

Answer 4

Anemia, Hemoglobinopathy, Cirrhosis, Hemolytic anemia, Hemorrhage, Dietary deficiency, Bone marrow failure, Prosthetic valves, Renal disease, Normal pregnancy, Rheumatoid arthritis, Lymphoma, Leukemia, Hodgkin disease

Question 5

Hemoglobin (Hgb or Hb)

Answer 5

12-16 g/dL

High: Erythrocytosis, congenital heart disease, severe COPD, polycythemia vera, severe dehydration.

Low: anemia, hemoglobinopathy, cirrhosis, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage, dietary deficiency, bone marrow failure, prosthetic valves, renal disease, normal pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, lymphoma, leukemia, Hodgkin disease

Question 6

Hematocrit (Hct)

Answer 6

37.0-47.0%

Critical Values: <15% or >60%

High: Same as others
Low: Same as others

Question 7

What could we do for critical values of Hct?

Answer 7

• Follow orders for IV, oxygen, medications, etc.
• Sit the patient up in bed.
• Put fall precautions on the patient (anemia comes with the risk of the patient being dizzy/lightheaded).