Critical values for tests and blood samples

In accordance with the guidelines of scientific societies, some tests performed in the laboratory may be urgent. For these tests, the following values are considered dangerous:

Analyte Lower Limit Upper Limit

Sodium (mmol/L).................................120................................. 160

Potassium (mmol/L)........................... 2.8.................................6.2

Calcium (mg/dl)................................ 6.5................................. 14

Glucose (mg/dl)................................40................................ 300

Hemoglobin (g/dl).................................7................................................ 18

Hematocrit (%).................................20................................. 60

Leukocytes (ul).................................2000................................ 30000

Fibrinogen (mg/dl)........................100................................../

Platelets (10^3/ul)................................70................................ 800

PT (INR) Therapy................................. /................................4.5

PTT (sec)................................................ /................................2.5

Urine markedly positive for glucose and acetone in children and subjects with unknown diabetes diagnosis

Severe hemoglobinuria in the absence of red blood cells on microscopic observation

Proteinuria in pregnancy.

In this case, the staff promptly notifies the requesting doctor or, alternatively, notifies the patient to come and collect the report.

Other tests, of particular clinical significance for a patient, which require intervention by the attending physician, are nevertheless reported to the physician or delivered promptly to the patient.