When interpreting abnormal lab values, nurses should consider:
1. Reference Ranges: Understand the normal ranges for different tests, which can vary by lab and patient demographics. 2. Patient Context: Evaluate the results in the context of the patient’s symptoms, history, and current condition. 3. Trends Over Time: Look at trends rather than isolated results to get a clearer picture of the patient's health status. 4. Critical Values: Recognize which values are critically abnormal and require immediate intervention.
