Interactive reference
Clinical Lab Values Search common laboratory and vital-sign reference values. Select a lab to review what it measures, common causes of high and low results, clinical considerations, and medication considerations.
Electrolytes Potassium (K⁺) 3.5 – 5.0 mEq/L Sodium (Na⁺) 135 – 145 mEq/L Calcium, total 8.6 – 10.2 mg/dL Calcium, ionized 4.5 – 5.5 mg/dL Magnesium (Mg²⁺) 1.3 – 2.0 mEq/L Phosphorus 3.0 – 4.5 mg/dL Chloride (Cl⁻) 96 – 106 mEq/L
Clinical focus
• Report K⁺ < 2.5 or > 6.0 immediately • Na⁺ < 120 or > 160 is critical • Trend with I&O and daily weights Renal Function BUN 10 – 20 mg/dL Creatinine 0.6 – 1.3 mg/dL BUN / Cr ratio 10:1 – 20:1 eGFR > 90 mL/min/1.73m²
Clinical focus
• Downward eGFR trend = kidney dysfunction • Avoid nephrotoxic meds when appropriate • Monitor I&O and daily weight ABG (Room Air) pH 7.35 – 7.45 PaCO₂ 35 – 45 mmHg PaO₂ 80 – 100 mmHg HCO₃⁻ 22 – 26 mEq/L SaO₂ 95 – 100%
Open ABG Interpreter → Hematology (CBC) WBC 4.0 – 11.0 K/µL RBC 4.2 – 6.0 M/µL Hemoglobin 12 – 18 g/dL Hematocrit 37 – 52% Platelets 150 – 400 K/µL
Clinical focus
• Review CBC trends rather than isolated values • Low platelets increase bleeding risk • Interpret Hgb/Hct in clinical context WBC Differential Neutrophils(50–70%) 3,000 – 7,000 Lymphocytes(20–40%) 1,000 – 4,000 Monocytes(2–8%) 200 – 800 Eosinophils(1–4%) 50 – 500 Basophils(0–1%) 0 – 100
Liver Function AST 10 – 40 U/L ALT 7 – 56 U/L Alk phosphatase 30 – 120 U/L Total bilirubin 0.3 – 1.0 mg/dL Albumin 3.5 – 5.5 g/dL Total protein 6.0 – 8.3 g/dL
Coagulation PT 11 – 13.5 sec INR(no anticoag) 0.8 – 1.1 PTT 25 – 35 sec Platelets 150 – 400 K/µL
Lipid Panel Total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL HDL > 60 mg/dL LDL < 100 mg/dL Triglycerides 35 – 150 mg/dL
Glucose Fasting 70 – 110 mg/dL Random < 140 mg/dL A1C < 5.7% normal
Vital Signs (Adult) Temperature 97.0 – 99.5 °F Heart rate 60 – 100 bpm Blood pressure 90/60 – 120/80 mmHg Respiratory rate 12 – 20 /min SpO₂ ≥ 94%
Critical — Report Now Potassium < 2.5 or > 6.0 mEq/L Sodium < 120 or > 160 mEq/L Calcium < 7.5 or > 12 mg/dL Hemoglobin < 7 or > 20 g/dL Platelets < 20K or > 1,000K pH < 7.25 or > 7.55 Glucose < 50 or > 400 mg/dL
Reference intervals and critical values vary by laboratory, age, sex, specimen method, clinical population, and institutional policy. Use the reporting laboratory's reference interval and the full clinical context for patient care.