Board Exam Review: Normal Vital Signs and Common Lab Values

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Card 1. What is a normal resting heart rate for adults?
Answer60 to 100 beats per minute.
Card 2. What is a normal respiratory rate for adults?
Answer12 to 20 breaths per minute.
Card 3. What blood pressure counts as normal for adults?
AnswerBelow 120/80 mmHg.
Card 4. What is a normal body temperature range?
AnswerAbout 36.5 to 37.5 °C.
Card 5. What is a normal oxygen saturation (SpO2)?
Answer95% to 100%.
Card 6. Below what heart rate is an adult bradycardic?
AnswerBelow 60 beats per minute.
Card 7. Above what heart rate is an adult tachycardic?
AnswerAbove 100 beats per minute.
Card 8. What is a normal fasting blood glucose?
AnswerAbout 70 to 99 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L).
Card 9. What is the normal range for serum sodium?
AnswerAbout 135 to 145 mEq/L.
Card 10. What is the normal range for serum potassium?
AnswerAbout 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.

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Card 11. What is the normal arterial blood pH?
Answer7.35 to 7.45.
Card 12. Below what pH is the blood acidotic, and above what is it alkalotic?
AnswerAcidosis below 7.35; alkalosis above 7.45.
Card 13. What is the normal range for arterial PaCO2?
Answer35 to 45 mmHg.
Card 14. What is the normal range for HCO3 (bicarbonate)?
Answer22 to 26 mEq/L.
Card 15. What are the four classic vital signs?
AnswerTemperature, pulse, respiratory rate and blood pressure. Many also count pain and oxygen saturation.
Card 16. Why should you check your own hospital's reference ranges?
AnswerNormal lab ranges vary slightly by laboratory and method; these are typical textbook values.