June 21, 2023

Hemoglobin (Hbg) Lab Values

4 minutes

Overview

Nursing Points General

Normal value range
1. Males – 13.5-16.5 g/dL
2. Females – 12.0 – 15.0 g/dL
Pathophysiology
1. Protein attached to red blood cell
2. Iron based protein
3. 4 groups
  1. 2 alpha
  2. 2 beta
4. Has a high affinity (attraction) for oxygen
  1. Oxyhemoglobin
    1. Has oxygen attached
  2. Deoxyhemoglobin
    1. Oxygen has been released
5. Oxyhemoglobin Dissociation Curve
  1. Oxygen saturation
  2. Shift to the right
    1. Partial pressure is higher
    2. HGB attraction to oxygen is lower
    3. Oxygen becomes less “sticky” and wants to be released
    4. Causes
      1. ↓pH
      2. ↑pCO2
      3. ↑Temperature
  3. Shift to the left
    1. Partial pressure is lower
    2. HGB attraction is higher
    3. Oxygen wants to stay “stuck” to HGB
    4. Causes
      1. ↑pH
      2. ↓pCO2
      3. ↓Temperature
Special considerations
1. Submit in lavender top tube
2. Be cautious with phlebotomy technique
  1. Reduce hemolysis with proper tubing and syringes
Elevated HGB values
1. Polycythemia vera
  1. Treatments
    1. Blood letting
    2. Increased water intake
    3. Some medications
2. Dehydration
3. Lung disease
  1. Pulmonary fibrosis
  2. COPD
4. Certain medical therapies
  1. EPO supplementation
Decreased HGB values
1. Thalassemia
2. Blood loss
3. Sickle Cell anemia
4. Aplastic anemia
5. Cancers

Assessment

Therapeutic Management

Nursing Concepts

...more

By Jon Haws RN: Critical Care Nurse & NCLEX Educator

4.3

127127 ratings

June 21, 2023

4 minutes

Overview

Nursing Points General

Normal value range
1. Males – 13.5-16.5 g/dL
2. Females – 12.0 – 15.0 g/dL
Pathophysiology
1. Protein attached to red blood cell
2. Iron based protein
3. 4 groups
  1. 2 alpha
  2. 2 beta
4. Has a high affinity (attraction) for oxygen
  1. Oxyhemoglobin
    1. Has oxygen attached
  2. Deoxyhemoglobin
    1. Oxygen has been released
5. Oxyhemoglobin Dissociation Curve
  1. Oxygen saturation
  2. Shift to the right
    1. Partial pressure is higher
    2. HGB attraction to oxygen is lower
    3. Oxygen becomes less “sticky” and wants to be released
    4. Causes
      1. ↓pH
      2. ↑pCO2
      3. ↑Temperature
  3. Shift to the left
    1. Partial pressure is lower
    2. HGB attraction is higher
    3. Oxygen wants to stay “stuck” to HGB
    4. Causes
      1. ↑pH
      2. ↓pCO2
      3. ↓Temperature
Special considerations
1. Submit in lavender top tube
2. Be cautious with phlebotomy technique
  1. Reduce hemolysis with proper tubing and syringes
Elevated HGB values
1. Polycythemia vera
  1. Treatments
    1. Blood letting
    2. Increased water intake
    3. Some medications
2. Dehydration
3. Lung disease
  1. Pulmonary fibrosis
  2. COPD
4. Certain medical therapies
  1. EPO supplementation
Decreased HGB values
1. Thalassemia
2. Blood loss
3. Sickle Cell anemia
4. Aplastic anemia
5. Cancers