May 29, 2023

Cholesterol (Chol) Lab Values

4 minutes

Overview

Nursing Points General

Normal values
Pathophysiology
1. Functions
  1. Essential in cell membrane formation
  2. Precursor to Vitamin D
  3. Precursor to hormone formation
  4. Synthesized in liver
2. Lipoproteins
  1. High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
    1. Removes excess levels of cholesterol
    2. Goal >60 mg/dL
  2. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
    1. Contributes to plaque buildup
    2. Goal
3. Excess cholesterol and lipid buildup
  1. Contributes to:
    1. Atherosclerosis
    2. Arteriosclerosis
Special considerations
1. Submit in green top tube
2. Ensure patient fasts
  1. Food intake can alter results
Elevated cholesterol levels
1. Obesity
2. Cushing's Disease
3. Hypothyroidism
4. Ischemic heart disease
5. Diabetes
6. Liver disease
  1. Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
7. Malabsorption
  1. For all patients, attempt to decrease cholesterol levels with diet/exercise;
  2. If no improvement, incorporate statins (unless immediate concern for impending disease (such as stroke or MI)
Decreased cholesterol levels
1. Burns
2. Hyperthyroidism
3. Chronic Myelocytic Leukemia
4. Malnutrition
5. Anorexia

Assessment

Therapeutic Management

Nursing Concepts

Patient Education

Educate patient on utilizing a low fat/low cholesterol diet
Educate patient on appropriate fitness or activity level increase dependent on tolerance

...more

By Jon Haws RN: Critical Care Nurse & NCLEX Educator

4.4

129129 ratings

May 29, 2023

4 minutes

Overview

Nursing Points General

Normal values
Pathophysiology
1. Functions
  1. Essential in cell membrane formation
  2. Precursor to Vitamin D
  3. Precursor to hormone formation
  4. Synthesized in liver
2. Lipoproteins
  1. High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
    1. Removes excess levels of cholesterol
    2. Goal >60 mg/dL
  2. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
    1. Contributes to plaque buildup
    2. Goal
3. Excess cholesterol and lipid buildup
  1. Contributes to:
    1. Atherosclerosis
    2. Arteriosclerosis
Special considerations
1. Submit in green top tube
2. Ensure patient fasts
  1. Food intake can alter results
Elevated cholesterol levels
1. Obesity
2. Cushing's Disease
3. Hypothyroidism
4. Ischemic heart disease
5. Diabetes
6. Liver disease
  1. Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
7. Malabsorption
  1. For all patients, attempt to decrease cholesterol levels with diet/exercise;
  2. If no improvement, incorporate statins (unless immediate concern for impending disease (such as stroke or MI)
Decreased cholesterol levels
1. Burns
2. Hyperthyroidism
3. Chronic Myelocytic Leukemia
4. Malnutrition
5. Anorexia