What it means
The span of values that most healthy people fall within, usually the middle 95%. Each lab sets its own ranges for its equipment and methods, so they can differ a little from book values. A result outside the range is flagged as high or low, and a critical value is one far enough out to need immediate action. On the NCLEX, the normal ranges are often given in the question.
For the nurse
Compare a result with the lab's own range and with the client's earlier results. Report critical values to the provider at once, as agency policy requires.
At a glance
| Also written | normal range, reference ranges, normal ranges, reference interval |
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Related terms
diagnostic test
A test that gives information to find or rule out a disease, or to see how a disease or treatment is going.
trend
The direction a set of findings moves over time, such as a value that keeps rising or falling.
screening
Testing people who have no symptoms to find a disease or risk early.