When it comes down to memorizing all the numerous lab values presented in the textbook, one could say that it is difficult to choose a favorite. However, I have chosen SODIUM as my preferred lab value. Sodium, or Na+, is known to be paired with our most crucial fluid, water! Therefore wherever water is, sodium follows, and vice versa. Normal values are actually simple to memorize because if one knows the normal ranges of our body’s pH levels (7.35-7.45), he/she would also realize that sodium’s normal values fall between 135-145 mEq/L, in which the numbers are relatively similar to that of our pH.
My least favorite lab value would have to be CALCIUM. Calcium’s normal values range between 8.6-10.2 mg/dL. It is difficult to form similarities of Calcium to the other lab values that are listed in the textbook and the numeric values are not the least bit similar to one another. CA++ is just one of those names and numbers that students will have to memorize and remember for future references.