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Critical Lab Values Cheat Sheet for Nursing Students Complete Quick
Reference Guide with Normal Ranges, Critical Values, and Nursing
Implications 2025-2026 Updated Edition
Quick Reference Guide
CRITICAL LAB VALUES CHEAT SHEET FOR NURSING STUDENTS
Complete Quick Reference with Normal Ranges, Critical Values, and Nursing Implications
2025-2026 | Already Graded A+
Institution: Nursing Programs Nationwide
Course: Fundamentals / Medical-Surgical Nursing / Clinical Rotations
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Page
Section 1 Complete Blood Count (CBC) 1-2
Section 2 Coagulation Studies 3
Section 3 Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) 4-5
Section 4 Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) 6-7
Section 5 Cardiac Markers 8
Section 6 Arterial Blood Gases (ABG) 9
Section 7 Therapeutic Drug Levels 10
Section 8 Urinalysis 11
Section 9 Quick Reference Tables 12-13
Section 10 Critical Value Memory Tricks 14
Section 11 Nursing Interventions for Critical Values 15
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How to Use This Cheat Sheet
This quick reference guide is designed to help nursing students:
• ✅ Memorize normal lab values for exams and clinical practice
• ✅ Recognize critical values that require immediate action
• ✅ Understand nursing implications for abnormal results
• ✅ Respond appropriately when critical values are reported
Key to Symbols:
• ⚠️ Critical Value – Requires immediate notification of provider
• 🔴 High – Above normal range
• 🔵 Low – Below normal range
• 💊 Medication Implication – Affects drug therapy
• 📋 Nursing Action – Specific interventions required
SECTION 1: COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC)
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Red Blood Cell (RBC) Indices
Normal
Test Critical Value Nursing Implications
Range
♂ 4.5-5.5 High (Polycythemia): Risk for
<2.5 or
million/mm³ thrombosis, stroke. Monitor for headache,
RBC Count >6.5
♀ 4.0-5.0 dizziness, blurred vision. Encourage
million/mm³
million/mm³ hydration.
Low (Anemia): Fatigue, pallor,
dyspnea. Assess for bleeding, provide
energy conservation, monitor vital signs.
♂ 13.5-17.5
High: Dehydration, COPD,
Hemoglobin g/dL <7.0 or
polycythemia. Assess for signs of
(Hgb) ♀ 12.0-16.0 >20 g/dL
hyperviscosity.
g/dL
Low: Anemia, blood loss. Assess for
pallor, fatigue, tachycardia. Prepare for
Critical Lab Values Cheat Sheet for Nursing Students Complete Quick
Reference Guide with Normal Ranges, Critical Values, and Nursing
Implications 2025-2026 Updated Edition
Quick Reference Guide
CRITICAL LAB VALUES CHEAT SHEET FOR NURSING STUDENTS
Complete Quick Reference with Normal Ranges, Critical Values, and Nursing Implications
2025-2026 | Already Graded A+
Institution: Nursing Programs Nationwide
Course: Fundamentals / Medical-Surgical Nursing / Clinical Rotations
,2|Page
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Page
Section 1 Complete Blood Count (CBC) 1-2
Section 2 Coagulation Studies 3
Section 3 Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) 4-5
Section 4 Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) 6-7
Section 5 Cardiac Markers 8
Section 6 Arterial Blood Gases (ABG) 9
Section 7 Therapeutic Drug Levels 10
Section 8 Urinalysis 11
Section 9 Quick Reference Tables 12-13
Section 10 Critical Value Memory Tricks 14
Section 11 Nursing Interventions for Critical Values 15
,3|Page
How to Use This Cheat Sheet
This quick reference guide is designed to help nursing students:
• ✅ Memorize normal lab values for exams and clinical practice
• ✅ Recognize critical values that require immediate action
• ✅ Understand nursing implications for abnormal results
• ✅ Respond appropriately when critical values are reported
Key to Symbols:
• ⚠️ Critical Value – Requires immediate notification of provider
• 🔴 High – Above normal range
• 🔵 Low – Below normal range
• 💊 Medication Implication – Affects drug therapy
• 📋 Nursing Action – Specific interventions required
SECTION 1: COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC)
, 4|Page
Red Blood Cell (RBC) Indices
Normal
Test Critical Value Nursing Implications
Range
♂ 4.5-5.5 High (Polycythemia): Risk for
<2.5 or
million/mm³ thrombosis, stroke. Monitor for headache,
RBC Count >6.5
♀ 4.0-5.0 dizziness, blurred vision. Encourage
million/mm³
million/mm³ hydration.
Low (Anemia): Fatigue, pallor,
dyspnea. Assess for bleeding, provide
energy conservation, monitor vital signs.
♂ 13.5-17.5
High: Dehydration, COPD,
Hemoglobin g/dL <7.0 or
polycythemia. Assess for signs of
(Hgb) ♀ 12.0-16.0 >20 g/dL
hyperviscosity.
g/dL
Low: Anemia, blood loss. Assess for
pallor, fatigue, tachycardia. Prepare for
