In critical care, we spend a lot of time evaluating laboratory values. During this session, Dr. Erstad will spend some time really getting into the details of how to evaluate these laboratory values in a meaningful way. Dr. Patanwala will be making a cameo with his videos explaining what some of the most common lab values mean.
There are a LOT more learning objectives than usual for this session, but most of them are pretty straightforward.
Learning Objectives
1. Explain the problems associated with the interpretation of single or isolated lab values
2. List four examples of how a lab value outside of the “normal” range may lead to inappropriate clinical actions
3. Discuss the association between sodium and chloride concentrations
4. Give examples of how sodium and chloride concentration may be high, normal, or low in patients with fluid deficiencies or excess
5. Describe the relationship between potassium concentrations and acid-base disturbances
6. Describe at least one situation in which a low or high bicarbonate concentration may not require any intervention to normalize it
7. Explain when blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine concentrations may rise together and when the BUN alone may be increased
8. Describe the relationship between hemoglobin and hematocrit