critical value

critical value

Critical results Lab medicine A lab result from a Pt that must be reported immediately to care provider, which may require urgent therapeutic action. See Decision levels.

Critical values in the laboratory

Chemistry

Analyte  SI units US units

Calcium < 1.65 mmol/L  < 6.6 mg/dl

   > 2.22 mmol/L   > 12.9 mg/dl

Glucose  < 2.60 mmol/L  < 46 mg/dl

       > 26.9 mmol/L   > 484 mg/dl

K⁺  < 2.8 mmol/L  < 2.8 mEq/L

    > 6.2 mmol/L  > 6.2 mEq/L

      > 8.0 mmol/L if hemolyzed

Na⁺   < 120 mmol/L  < 120 mEq/L

      > 158 mmol/L  > 158 mEq/L

CO₂ –plasma  < 11 mmol/L  < 11 mMol

   > 40 mmol/L  > 40 mMol

Hematology, eg blasts or sickle cells on peripheral smear, may indicate leukemia or sickle cell anemia

Microbiology, eg positive gram stain or culture from blood, serosal fluids or CSF, acid-fast stain or positive mycobacterial culture results

Transfusion medicine Incompatible cross-match, positive VDRL