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NCLEX Lab Values: Complete Reference Guide for 2025


Understanding NCLEX lab values is one of the most important skills for nursing students preparing for the exam. The NCLEX frequently tests your ability to interpret lab results, identify emergencies, and make safe clinical decisions. This updated **2025 NCLEX lab values guide** provides all essential ranges you must memorize to succeed.

Why Lab Values Matter for NCLEX

Lab values help nurses determine a patient’s status quickly. On NCLEX, abnormal values often indicate life‑threatening situations requiring immediate intervention. These values appear in NGN case studies, bow‑tie items, matrix questions, and prioritization scenarios. Mastering normal lab ranges is key to answering these questions with confidence

Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)

These labs assess kidney function, hydration status, and electrolyte balance:

  • Sodium (Na): 135–145 mEq/L
  • Potassium (K): 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
  • Chloride (Cl): 98–106 mEq/L
  • Bicarbonate (HCO₃): 22–28 mEq/L
  • BUN: 7–20 mg/dL
  • Creatinine: 0.6–1.2 mg/dL
  • Glucose: 70–110 mg/dL

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

These values help identify infection, oxygenation issues, and bleeding risk:

  • WBC: 4,000–11,000 /mm³
  • Hemoglobin: 12–16 g/dL (female), 14–18 g/dL (male)
  • Hematocrit: 36–48%
  • Platelets: 150,000–400,000 /mm³

Coagulation Studies

These determine clotting ability and bleeding risk:

  • PT: 11–14 seconds
  • INR: 0.8–1.1 (therapeutic: 2–3 for warfarin)
  • aPTT: 30–40 seconds
  • D‑dimer: < 0.5 µg/mL

Cardiac Enzymes

These labs indicate heart damage or failure:

  • Troponin I: < 0.04 ng/mL
  • CK‑MB: < 5 ng/mL
  • BNP: < 100 pg/mL

Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

  • AST: 10–40 U/L
  • ALT: 10–40 U/L
  • Total bilirubin: 0.1–1.2 mg/dL

Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)

These assess respiratory and metabolic balance:

  • pH: 7.35–7.45
  • PaCO₂: 35–45 mmHg
  • HCO₃: 22–26 mEq/L
  • PaO₂: 80–100 mmHg
  • O₂ saturation: 95–100%

Tips for Studying Nursing Lab Values

  • Group labs by system for easier memorization.
  • Use flashcards daily for repetition
  • Associate abnormal values with symptoms.
  • Practice NCLEX-style lab interpretation questions

Final Thoughts

Mastering these **nursing lab values** is essential for NCLEX success. With this complete 2025 reference guide, you’ll confidently recognize abnormal results, prioritize care, and handle NGN clinical judgment questions with ease.

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