Primary Care Lab Values Cheat Sheet
Memorize these standard adult lab reference ranges for your certification exam. Print or save this quick-reference guide to drill essential primary care values.
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Complete Blood Count (CBC)
WBC — 4,500 to 11,000 cells/mcL / indicates infection or immunosuppression Hemoglobin (Male) — 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL / screens for anemia or bleeding Hemoglobin (Female) — 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL / screens for anemia or bleeding Hematocrit (Male) — 41% to 50% / measures proportion of red blood cells Hematocrit (Female) — 36% to 48% / measures proportion of red blood cells Platelets — 150,000 to 450,000/mcL / crucial for clotting and bleeding risk
Basic Metabolic Panel (Electrolytes)
Sodium (Na) — 135 to 145 mEq/L / critical for fluid balance and neuro function Potassium (K) — 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L / essential for cardiac conduction Calcium (Ca) — 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL / vital for muscle contraction and bone health Chloride (Cl) — 96 to 106 mEq/L / maintains acid-base balance Magnesium (Mg) — 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL / low levels trigger cardiac arrhythmias
Renal Function
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) — 8 to 20 mg/dL / evaluates kidney function and hydration Creatinine (Male) — 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dL / primary indicator of renal impairment Creatinine (Female) — 0.6 to 1.1 mg/dL / primary indicator of renal impairment GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) — >90 mL/min/1.73m2 / defines chronic kidney disease stages
Lipid Panel
Total Cholesterol — <200 mg/dL / baseline marker for cardiovascular risk LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) — <100 mg/dL / optimal target for healthy adults HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) — >40 mg/dL (Male) or >50 mg/dL (Female) / cardioprotective cholesterol Triglycerides — <150 mg/dL / elevated levels increase pancreatitis risk
Thyroid & Diabetes Screening
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) — 0.4 to 4.0 mIU/L / first-line test for thyroid dysfunction Free T4 — 0.8 to 1.8 ng/dL / confirms hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism Fasting Blood Glucose — 70 to 99 mg/dL / screens for prediabetes and diabetes Hemoglobin A1c (Normal) — <5.7% / reflects 90-day average blood glucose Hemoglobin A1c (Diabetes) — ≥6.5% / diagnostic threshold for diabetes mellitus
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) — 7 to 56 U/L / highly specific to liver injury AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) — 10 to 40 U/L / indicates liver, heart, or muscle damage ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) — 44 to 147 U/L / elevated in biliary obstruction or bone disease Total Bilirubin — 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dL / causes jaundice when significantly elevated
Exam Facts & Passing Scores
AANP FNP-C Passing Score — 500 / scaled from 200 to 800 ANCC FNP-BC Passing Score — 350 / scaled from 0 to 500 Recertification — Every 5 years / requires continuing education or re-examination Practice Bank — 3000+ practice questions / use these to drill lab value scenarios
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