Free Reference
Normal Lab Values
for Nurses
Complete lab values reference for nurses and nursing students. Bookmark this page for quick clinical reference.
All
CBC
BMP/CMP
ABG
Cardiac
Coagulation
Thyroid
Liver
Urinalysis
Critical Values
CBC — Complete Blood Count
| Test | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| WBC | 4,500–11,000 | cells/µL |
| RBC (Male) | 4.5–5.5 | million/µL |
| RBC (Female) | 4.0–5.0 | million/µL |
| Hemoglobin (Male) | 13.5–17.5 | g/dL |
| Hemoglobin (Female) | 12.0–15.5 | g/dL |
| Hematocrit (Male) | 41–53 | % |
| Hematocrit (Female) | 36–46 | % |
| Platelets | 150,000–400,000 | cells/µL |
| MCV | 80–100 | fL |
| Neutrophils | 55–70 | % |
| Lymphocytes | 20–40 | % |
| Eosinophils | 1–4 | % |
BMP/CMP — Metabolic Panel
| Test | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium (Na+) ! | 136–145 | mEq/L |
| Potassium (K+) ! | 3.5–5.0 | mEq/L |
| Chloride | 98–106 | mEq/L |
| CO2/Bicarbonate | 22–26 | mEq/L |
| Glucose (Fasting) | 70–100 | mg/dL |
| BUN | 7–25 | mg/dL |
| Creatinine (Male) | 0.7–1.3 | mg/dL |
| Creatinine (Female) | 0.6–1.1 | mg/dL |
| Calcium | 8.5–10.5 | mg/dL |
| Magnesium | 1.5–2.5 | mEq/L |
| Phosphorus | 2.5–4.5 | mg/dL |
| Albumin | 3.5–5.0 | g/dL |
| HbA1c | <5.7 | % |
ABG — Arterial Blood Gas
| Test | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| pH ! | 7.35–7.45 | |
| PaCO2 | 35–45 | mmHg |
| PaO2 | 80–100 | mmHg |
| HCO3 | 22–26 | mEq/L |
| SaO2 | 95–100 | % |
| Base Excess | -2 to +2 | mEq/L |
ROME: Respiratory Opposite (pH up CO2 down). Metabolic Equal (pH up HCO3 up).
Cardiac Markers
| Test | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Troponin I ! | <0.04 | ng/mL |
| CK-MB | <5 | ng/mL |
| BNP | <100 | pg/mL |
| LDL Cholesterol | <100 | mg/dL |
| HDL (Male) | >40 | mg/dL |
| HDL (Female) | >50 | mg/dL |
| Total Cholesterol | <200 | mg/dL |
| Triglycerides | <150 | mg/dL |
| Digoxin Therapeutic | 0.5–2.0 | ng/mL |
Coagulation Studies
| Test | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| PT | 11–13.5 | seconds |
| INR (Normal) | 0.8–1.2 | |
| INR (Warfarin) | 2.0–3.0 | |
| INR (Mech. Valve) | 2.5–3.5 | |
| aPTT (Normal) | 25–35 | seconds |
| aPTT (Heparin) | 60–100 | seconds |
| D-Dimer | <0.5 | µg/mL |
| Fibrinogen | 200–400 | mg/dL |
Thyroid Function Tests
| Test | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| TSH | 0.4–4.0 | mIU/L |
| Free T4 | 0.8–1.8 | ng/dL |
| Free T3 | 2.3–4.2 | pg/mL |
| Total T4 | 5.0–12.0 | µg/dL |
| Total T3 | 80–200 | ng/dL |
Remember: TSH HIGH = Hypothyroidism. TSH LOW = Hyperthyroidism. TSH is inverse to thyroid function.
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
| Test | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| ALT (SGPT) | 7–56 | U/L |
| AST (SGOT) | 10–40 | U/L |
| ALP | 44–147 | U/L |
| Total Bilirubin | 0.2–1.2 | mg/dL |
| Direct Bilirubin | 0.0–0.3 | mg/dL |
| GGT | 8–61 | U/L |
| Ammonia | 15–45 | µg/dL |
| Albumin | 3.5–5.0 | g/dL |
Urinalysis (UA)
| Test | Normal | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 4.5–8.0 | |
| Specific Gravity | 1.005–1.030 | |
| Protein | Negative | |
| Glucose | Negative | |
| Ketones | Negative | |
| Leukocyte Esterase | Negative | |
| Nitrites | Negative | |
| WBC | 0–5 | /hpf |
| RBC | 0–2 | /hpf |
Critical Values — Report Immediately!
| Test | Critical Low | Critical High |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | <120 | >160 mEq/L |
| Potassium | <2.5 | >6.5 mEq/L |
| Glucose | <40 | >500 mg/dL |
| Calcium | <6.0 | >13.0 mg/dL |
| Hemoglobin | <7.0 | >20.0 g/dL |
| Platelets | <50,000 | >1,000,000 |
| pH | <7.20 | >7.60 |
| PaO2 | <40 mmHg | — |
| INR | — | >5.0 |
| Troponin | — | Any elevation |
| Lithium | — | >1.5 mEq/L |
NCLEX Rule: Critical values must be reported to the provider IMMEDIATELY. Document time, who you spoke to, and orders received.
Other Important Lab Values
| Test | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium Therapeutic | 0.6–1.2 | mEq/L |
| Phenytoin Therapeutic | 10–20 | µg/mL |
| Vancomycin Trough | 10–20 | µg/mL |
| Serum Osmolality | 275–295 | mOsm/kg |
| CRP | <1.0 | mg/dL |
| ESR (Male) | 0–15 | mm/hr |
| ESR (Female) | 0–20 | mm/hr |
| Iron | 60–170 | µg/dL |
| Vitamin B12 | 200–900 | pg/mL |
| Uric Acid (Male) | 3.4–7.0 | mg/dL |
| Uric Acid (Female) | 2.4–6.0 | mg/dL |
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