Advice and reassurance, labs interpretation.

[who_knows]

Hello. Need an advice and reassurance. When I am given a lab sheet, I take 2-3 minutes to go over and picture the physiology in my head. For some reason, I can't just instantly recognize the pattern of labs. Is it normal for an MS2 to be slow with reading labs and interpreting them? Clerkship is in one year, am I supposed to be super quick with labs by then?

So, what should I do? How can I improve? Should I memorize the patterns? This sounds insane. I am not one of those who memorizes things and spills out facts like a reflex.

[LostLamb]

You’re fine. 

[Snowmen]

When I was an MS2, I couldn't even remember whether sodium or potassium was the one with the "big number" so I think you're fine.

[robclem21]

The more you see the faster you become, as with anything. In clerkship, it's probably best just to learn which values are most important to look at and what is actually a clinically important change from baseline (Unlike "HOUSE", often something borderline doesn't warrant too much second thought). By the end of clerkship you should have a general approach to abnormal values (i.e. differential, management, etc. for anemia, electrolyte abnormalities, elevated LFTs, ABGs, etc.). However, a lot of absolute values may change slightly depending on which hospital you work at and the assays they use in their labs and that is why they are always reported with reference ranges which everyone still uses even into practice.

[jb24]

The more you do it, the more it becomes second nature. Just focus on understanding why you see a certain pattern, rather than memorizing things now. Normal values were always given to us on exams anyway.

[who_knows]

Thank you, guys. "Practice more" - always a great advice!

[anonymouspls]

If M3 shows up on time every day and does all assigned tasks they are already in top 25% of their class. If you aren't annoying on top of this you are top 10% superstar clerk.