Lab Value Interpretation
INTRODUCTION:[edit | edit source]
: physical therapists should not rely exclusively on a single laboratory finding; they should also consider a variety or other clinical factors. Likewise, it is important to understand the significance of trends in the values over time[1]. Laboratory value tests are one factor in determining the overall health of our patients. For many tests, the normal ranges will vary depending on age, gender, race, or other factors[2].
Risk and benefit considerations to therapeutic intervention[edit | edit source]
The fundamental consideration when reviewing patient laboratory findings is toward determining an appropriate plan of care and weighing the anticipated benefit of a therapy intervention against the potential to the patient. Physical therapists should carefully anticipate the physiological changes that might have occurred whenever a laboratory value is out of range. They should also be aware of the heightened risk level if a value should fall into the critical range. It is critical to understand pertinent lab values and the subsequent potential of adverse events when practicing in this kind of practice setting. To begin or continue interventions on patients that we’re seeing in the acute care setting, we always need to use clinical decision making[1]. The Lab values alone may or may not determine whether you’re going to intervene with a patient, or whether you’re going to hold[2].
Things to consider when looking at the patient’s big picture
Potential drug interactions
Significant trends in the values over time
Electrolyte panels might change with intravenous infusions, medications, and diet
Chronic medical conditions (such as anemia) might be asymptomatic during exercise, while a patient with precipitous drop in hemoglobin and hematocrit might require urgent medical attention.
| ) Lab values | Normal range | Rehabilitation consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Hematocrit(%RBC) | ||
