Interpreting Lab Values and Nursing Actions Flashcards
7 cards from real LPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Interpreting Lab Values and Nursing Actions flashcards as text
A patient's serum potassium is 6.2 mEq/L. Which assessment finding is most concerning?
Answer: Muscle weakness and peaked T waves on ECG
Hyperkalemia (>5.0 mEq/L) causes cardiac dysrhythmias with peaked T waves and muscle weakness, requiring immediate intervention.
A patient's INR is 4.8 while on warfarin therapy. What is the priority nursing action?
Answer: Hold the next warfarin dose and notify the provider
An INR of 4.8 is supratherapeutic (therapeutic range 2-3), placing the patient at high bleeding risk; hold warfarin and notify the provider immediately.
A patient with chronic kidney disease has a serum phosphorus of 6.8 mg/dL. Which dietary teaching is appropriate?
Answer: Limit dairy products, nuts, and processed foods
Hyperphosphatemia in CKD requires restricting phosphorus-rich foods such as dairy, nuts, and processed items to prevent renal osteodystrophy.
A patient's arterial blood gas shows pH 7.30, PaCO2 28 mmHg, HCO3 13 mEq/L. How should the LPN interpret this?
Answer: Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation
Low pH with low HCO3 indicates metabolic acidosis; the low PaCO2 reflects respiratory compensation (hyperventilation).
A patient has a serum sodium of 128 mEq/L. Which symptom would the LPN expect?
Answer: Headache, confusion, and nausea
Hyponatremia (<135 mEq/L) causes neurological symptoms including headache, confusion, and nausea due to cerebral edema.
A patient's troponin I level is markedly elevated at 2.8 ng/mL. What condition does this most strongly indicate?
Answer: Acute myocardial infarction
Markedly elevated troponin I is the most specific biomarker for myocardial cell necrosis, indicating an acute MI.
A patient on heparin therapy has an aPTT of 120 seconds (normal 25-35 sec). What is the correct nursing action?
Answer: Hold heparin and notify the provider immediately
An aPTT of 120 seconds is dangerously supratherapeutic (goal typically 60-100 sec); heparin should be held and the provider notified.