JuliPA Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Hey everyone! Anyone know of any catchy mnemonics for normal CBC lab values? I already have one for the WBC differential...I was just wondering if anyone out there knew of any for the other CBC values...a google search has left me empty handed.... Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fyrelight74 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 How do you do that, when different labs have different values? As an MA, I'm responsible for importing labs, and noting abnormals. Between Quest, PAL, Labwest, CHW and other companies, some values are pretty varied. Not to mention the different ranges for male/female on Hgb/Hct. I can easily tell what is way off without looking at ranges just from seeing them so often, but ones on the verge, I have to check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted September 29, 2010 Administrator Share Posted September 29, 2010 I have two answers, take your pick: "That's what a scut monkey is for" or "I have yet to see a lab sheet that didn't indicate normal ranges" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 How do you do that, when different labs have different values? As an MA, I'm responsible for importing labs, and noting abnormals. Between Quest, PAL, Labwest, CHW and other companies, some values are pretty varied. Not to mention the different ranges for male/female on Hgb/Hct. I can easily tell what is way off without looking at ranges just from seeing them so often, but ones on the verge, I have to check. Values will vary slightly between labs but there are still values that are considered a normal range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delco714 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 I have two answers, take your pick: "That's what a scut monkey is for" or "I have yet to see a lab sheet that didn't indicate normal ranges" Wish we had scut monkeys on our test in school.. sometimes they just expect you to know some lab values cold turkey :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuliPA Posted September 29, 2010 Author Share Posted September 29, 2010 I have two answers, take your pick: "That's what a scut monkey is for" or "I have yet to see a lab sheet that didn't indicate normal ranges" I don't know where you go to school, but we don't have scut monkeys at our disposal when taking exams..... I understand that in the real world, these values will fluctuate from pt to pt, and reference values will almost always be provided by the lab, etc. However, I also agree with the sentiment that technology is not perfect, and I understand why our facutly wants us to internalize a understanding of the general "normal" ranges for the common CBC values (RBC, Hct, Hgb, MCV, etc.), for both men and women. At any rate, I was just wondering if anyone had any clever ways to remember the typical CBC values....I have one for remembering the values for a "normal" WBC diff: Never Let My Engines Blow; 60, 40, 8, 4, ~0! (Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils; % of each cell found in a normal WBC diff) The numbers add up to more than 100% b/c the numbers reflect the high end of normal - that is, if the values are above, or much below the ones listed, you may have a problem. Its not perfect by any means, but is a good reference point to know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jen0508 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 "never let monkeys eat bananas" for the diff....... the others after talking about them 500 times in our heme module i didnt even have to memorize... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wcsmedic Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 Sorry, I don't have any for RBCs, etc. We just learned them by rote memorization. As for WBCs, while you already have a working one, I've used: "Neutrophils Like Making Everything Better" :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Not sure you'd want to remember them that closely since they're displayed on the PANCE and every printout or computer display of lab values. WBC over 10K is a red flag, as is Hgb < 9 or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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