ATI RN Captstone Weekly Tips.
Fundamentals
Laboratory Values
While lab values vary slightly according to the source, knowing an average range for the
following common lab tests will be very helpful on to you when answering questions.
Sodium 136-145 mEq/L
Potassium 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Total Calcium 9.0-10.5
mg/dL Magnesium 1.3-2.1
mg/dL
Phosphorus 3.0 –4.5 mg/dL
BUN 10-20 mg/dL
Creatinine 0.6 – 1.2mg/dL males, 0.5 – 1.1 mg/dL females
Glucose 70 -105 mg/dL
HgbA1c <6.5%
WBC5,000-10,000/mm3
RBC Men 4.7-6.1 million/mm3, Women 4.2-5.4 million/mm3
Hemoglobin Men 14-18g/100 mL, Women 12-16 g/100 mL
Hematocrit Men 42-52%,Women 37-47%
Platelet150,000-400,000/mm3
pH 7.35-7.45
pC02 35 to45 mm Hg
p02 80-100 mmHg
HCO3 21-26mmol/L
Normal PT = 11-12.5 sec, Normal INR = 0.7-1.8 (Therapeutic INR 2-3)
Normal PTT = 30-40 sec (Therapeutic PTT 1.5 – 2 x normal or control values)
Digoxin 0.5 to 2.0ng/mL
Lithium 0.8 to 1.4 mEq/L
Dilantin 10-20 mcg/mL
Theophylline 10 to 20mcg/mL
Latex Allergies:
Note that clients allergic to bananas, apricots, cherries, grapes, kiwis, passion
fruit, avocados, chestnuts, tomatoes, and/or peaches may experience latex
allergies as well.
,ATI RN Captstone Weekly Tips.
Order of assessment:
I-inspection
P-palpation
P-
percussion
A-auscultation
Except with abdomen it is IAPP-inspect, auscultate, percuss and palpate.
Cane walking:
C-cane
O-
opposite
A-
affected
L-leg
Crutch walking:
Remember the phase “step up” when picturing a person going up stairs with crutches.
The good leg goes up first followed by the crutches and the bad leg. The opposite
happens going down the stairs….OR “up to heaven…down to hell”
Delegation:
RNs DO NOT delegate what they can EAT--evaluate, assess, teach
Helpful tool to remember Isolation Precautions:
AIRBORNE: "My Chicken Hez TB"
-Measles
-Chicken pox
-Herpes zoster
-TB
Management: neg. pressure room, private room, mask, n-95 for TB.
DROPLET: "SPIDERMAn"
,ATI RN Captstone Weekly Tips.
-Sepsis
-Scarlet Fever
, ATI RN Captstone Weekly Tips.
-Strep
-Pertussis
-Pneumonia
-Parvovirus
-Influenza
-Diphtheria
-Epiglottitis
-Rubella
-Mumps
-Adenovirus
Management: Private room/mask
CONTACT: "MRS WEE"
-MRSA
-VRSA
-RSV
-Skin infections (herpes zoster, cutaneous diphtheria, impetigo, pediculosis, scabies, and
staphylococcus)
-Wound infections
-Enteric infections (Clostridium difficile)
-Eye infections (conjunctivitis)
Management: gown, gloves, goggles, private room
Test taking tip: Slow Down!
Reading questions too quickly can lead to errors. When you are testing, try to slow
down a bit so that you do not miss any key words - Before each and every question try
this:
Take a deep breath in then out. Read the stem of the question, read the choices. REREAD the
stem of the question to make sure to understand what is really being asked -then make your
selection. Start the process all over with a deep breath in and out.
Don’t forget to take advantage of your focused review following each assessment! Reviewing
the topics you miss is KEY to building up your knowledge base.
Fundamentals
Laboratory Values
While lab values vary slightly according to the source, knowing an average range for the
following common lab tests will be very helpful on to you when answering questions.
Sodium 136-145 mEq/L
Potassium 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Total Calcium 9.0-10.5
mg/dL Magnesium 1.3-2.1
mg/dL
Phosphorus 3.0 –4.5 mg/dL
BUN 10-20 mg/dL
Creatinine 0.6 – 1.2mg/dL males, 0.5 – 1.1 mg/dL females
Glucose 70 -105 mg/dL
HgbA1c <6.5%
WBC5,000-10,000/mm3
RBC Men 4.7-6.1 million/mm3, Women 4.2-5.4 million/mm3
Hemoglobin Men 14-18g/100 mL, Women 12-16 g/100 mL
Hematocrit Men 42-52%,Women 37-47%
Platelet150,000-400,000/mm3
pH 7.35-7.45
pC02 35 to45 mm Hg
p02 80-100 mmHg
HCO3 21-26mmol/L
Normal PT = 11-12.5 sec, Normal INR = 0.7-1.8 (Therapeutic INR 2-3)
Normal PTT = 30-40 sec (Therapeutic PTT 1.5 – 2 x normal or control values)
Digoxin 0.5 to 2.0ng/mL
Lithium 0.8 to 1.4 mEq/L
Dilantin 10-20 mcg/mL
Theophylline 10 to 20mcg/mL
Latex Allergies:
Note that clients allergic to bananas, apricots, cherries, grapes, kiwis, passion
fruit, avocados, chestnuts, tomatoes, and/or peaches may experience latex
allergies as well.
,ATI RN Captstone Weekly Tips.
Order of assessment:
I-inspection
P-palpation
P-
percussion
A-auscultation
Except with abdomen it is IAPP-inspect, auscultate, percuss and palpate.
Cane walking:
C-cane
O-
opposite
A-
affected
L-leg
Crutch walking:
Remember the phase “step up” when picturing a person going up stairs with crutches.
The good leg goes up first followed by the crutches and the bad leg. The opposite
happens going down the stairs….OR “up to heaven…down to hell”
Delegation:
RNs DO NOT delegate what they can EAT--evaluate, assess, teach
Helpful tool to remember Isolation Precautions:
AIRBORNE: "My Chicken Hez TB"
-Measles
-Chicken pox
-Herpes zoster
-TB
Management: neg. pressure room, private room, mask, n-95 for TB.
DROPLET: "SPIDERMAn"
,ATI RN Captstone Weekly Tips.
-Sepsis
-Scarlet Fever
, ATI RN Captstone Weekly Tips.
-Strep
-Pertussis
-Pneumonia
-Parvovirus
-Influenza
-Diphtheria
-Epiglottitis
-Rubella
-Mumps
-Adenovirus
Management: Private room/mask
CONTACT: "MRS WEE"
-MRSA
-VRSA
-RSV
-Skin infections (herpes zoster, cutaneous diphtheria, impetigo, pediculosis, scabies, and
staphylococcus)
-Wound infections
-Enteric infections (Clostridium difficile)
-Eye infections (conjunctivitis)
Management: gown, gloves, goggles, private room
Test taking tip: Slow Down!
Reading questions too quickly can lead to errors. When you are testing, try to slow
down a bit so that you do not miss any key words - Before each and every question try
this:
Take a deep breath in then out. Read the stem of the question, read the choices. REREAD the
stem of the question to make sure to understand what is really being asked -then make your
selection. Start the process all over with a deep breath in and out.
Don’t forget to take advantage of your focused review following each assessment! Reviewing
the topics you miss is KEY to building up your knowledge base.
