Lab Interpretation Course

Build confidence in lab interpretation with a self-paced online course, developed by NPs in collaboration with leading clinical specialists.

Trusted by 1,500+ clinicians across Canada and the United States

8 in-depth modules and 7+ hours of video lessons

We’ve got you covered

  • Created by NPs

    Reviewed by leading specialists, from hematology to endocrinology.

  • Practice-ready tools

    80 quiz questions and 200+ pages of downloadable resources.

  • Canadian and U.S. guidelines

    Lab values are given in both SI and conventional units.

  • 7+ hours, at your pace

    Self-paced video lessons with lifetime access.

  • 8 in-depth modules

    From the CBC to hormones, kidney, liver and inflammatory markers.

Meet the faculty

  • Headshot of Aliya Hajee

    Aliya Hajee

    MN, BScN, NP, MSCP
    Nurse Practitioner
    Course Creator & Instructor

  • Headshot of Alix Consorti

    Alix Consorti

    MN, BScN, NP, MSCP
    Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Reviewer

  • Headshot of Claudia Mariano

    Claudia Mariano

    MSc, BScN, PHCNP
    Retired Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Reviewer

  • Headshot of Kathryn Flanigan

    Kathryn Flanigan

    MN, BScN, NP, MSCP
    Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Reviewer

  • Headshot of Dr. Ziad Solh

    Dr. Ziad Solh

    MD, MSc, FRCPC, DRCPSC
    Hematologist
    Expert Reviewer (Module 2)

  • Headshot of Dr. Supriya Joshi

    Dr. Supriya Joshi

    MD, FRCPC
    Hepatologist & Gastroenterologist
    Expert Reviewer (Module 3 & 5)

  • Headshot of Dr. Daniel Schwartz

    Dr. Daniel Schwartz

    MD, FRCPC
    Nephrologist
    Expert Reviewer (Module 4)

  • Headshot of Dr. Akshay Jain

    Dr. Akshay Jain

    MD, FRCPC, FACE
    Endocrinologist
    Expert Reviewer (Module 6 & 7)

Course overview

Lab interpretation goes beyond numbers; it requires structure, reasoning, and clinical judgment.

Developed by nurse practitioners in collaboration with leading clinical specialists, this course walks you through a practical process that mirrors how experienced clinicians think in real practice. You will learn how to confirm that a result is valid and clinically meaningful, determine how significant or urgent the finding is, interpret it within the broader presentation, decide which additional investigations are warranted, and know when specialist input or follow-up is appropriate.

It is designed to help you move beyond memorization toward true diagnostic reasoning, teaching you how to connect data with the patient in front of you. Across 8 modules, you will learn to interpret results systematically and make evidence-based decisions in everyday clinical care.

The course integrates Canadian, U.S., and international clinical guidelines. Lab values are presented in both SI and conventional units where applicable to support clinicians across North America.

Who it’s for

This program is for clinicians in primary care who want a clearer, more systematic approach to lab interpretation and clinical decision-making. It is suitable for nurse practitioners, physicians, registered nurses, physician assistants, midwives, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals involved in ordering, interpreting, or managing laboratory results.

Learning objectives

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

  1. Apply a structured approach to interpreting lab tests.

  2. Recognize normal and abnormal results in clinical context.

  3. Identify critical findings that require urgent action and know when referral is appropriate.

  4. Select appropriate follow-up investigations.

  5. Integrate lab results into clinical reasoning and management.

What you’ll learn

  • Foundations of Lab Interpretation

    MODULE 1

    Build a strong foundational framework for diagnostic reasoning, from ordering tests with purpose to managing critical findings in clinical context.

    Topics include

    • Selecting tests with purpose

    • Understanding test performance and accuracy

    • Interpreting results in clinical context

    • Recognizing and managing critical values

  • Complete Blood Count

    MODULE 2

    Master a stepwise approach to interpreting the CBC and understanding what each abnormality means for patient care.

    Topics include

    • Introduction to the CBC and peripheral blood smear

    • Clinical anemia overview

    • Approach to microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic anemia

    • Approach to polycythemia

    • Evaluation of leukocyte abnormalities: neutropenia and neutrophilia

    • Evaluation of leukocyte abnormalities: lymphocytopenia and lymphocytosis

    • Approach to eosinophilia

    • Approach to thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis

  • Iron Studies & Deficiencies

    MODULE 3

    Interpret iron studies and related nutrient deficiencies with confidence, integrating results into your diagnostic reasoning.

    Topics include

    • Interpreting iron studies: ferritin, iron, TSAT, and TIBC

    • Distinguishing iron deficiency from anemia of chronic disease

    • Approach to iron overload

    • Approach to vitamin B12 deficiency

    • Approach to vitamin D deficiency

  • Kidney Function & Electrolytes

    MODULE 4

    Evaluate kidney function and electrolyte disturbances using a systematic, evidence-based framework.

    Topics include

    • Clinical assessment of renal function: creatinine and eGFR

    • Interpreting urine ACR and urinalysis findings

    • Distinguishing AKI from CKD

    • Approach to abnormal eGFR and creatinine trends

    • Stepwise evaluation of hyponatremia and hypernatremia

    • Stepwise evaluation of hypokalemia and hyperkalemia

    • Approach to hypercalcemia

  • Liver Function Tests & MASLD

    MODULE 5

    Recognize patterns of liver injury, assess disease severity, and determine when further testing or referral is indicated.

    Topics include

    • Patterns of abnormal liver tests: hepatocellular, cholestatic, and mixed

    • Approach to isolated hyperbilirubinemia

    • Interpreting hepatitis B (HBV) serology

    • Interpreting hepatitis C (HCV) screening

    • MASLD and fibrosis risk assessment tools

  • Hormonal & Reproductive Tests

    MODULE 6

    Interpret thyroid, reproductive, and adrenal hormone results using a structured clinical framework.

    Topics include

    • Interpreting thyroid function patterns and antibody testing

    • Approach to hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism

    • Evaluation of amenorrhea and menstrual irregularities

    • Approach to PCOS

    • Laboratory assessment of perimenopause and menopause

    • Approach to infertility

    • Approach to low testosterone

    • Approach to adrenal insufficiency and AM cortisol

  • Cardiometabolic Risk & Metabolic Syndrome

    MODULE 7

    Connect lab interpretation to prevention, risk reduction, and long-term metabolic health.

    Topics include

    • Type 2 diabetes screening and diagnostic thresholds

    • Recognizing red flags and type 1 diabetes

    • Advanced lipid screening: Apo B and Lp(a)

    • Cardiovascular risk assessment and metabolic syndrome

    • Approach to elevated creatine kinase and statin safety

  • Inflammatory Markers

    MODULE 8

    Interpret inflammatory and autoimmune markers accurately, recognizing systemic patterns that guide next steps in care.

    Topics include

    • Approach to elevated ESR and CRP

    • Interpreting rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP

    • Approach to positive ANA, ENA, and anti-dsDNA

    • Recognizing autoimmune patterns and referral thresholds

Feedback from course reviewers

  • “This course is valuable for both new and experienced NPs. The content is comprehensive, well-organized, and directly relevant to clinical practice. It really helps build confidence with lab interpretation, something that’s so important but often under-taught. I would highly recommend it to any NP looking to strengthen these skills.”

    Alix Consorti, MN, NP, MSCP

  • “This lab interpretation course is an outstanding resource for NPs looking to strengthen their diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making. It offers a much more thorough and practical approach to interpreting lab results in everyday practice. This level of lab interpretation isn’t always taught in our training, and this course helps fill that gap.”

    Claudia Mariano, MSc, PHCNP

  • “This course is an excellent review for both NP learners and experienced clinicians. It walks through why certain labs are ordered, what conditions might be causing abnormal results, and how to interpret that. The self-paced format makes it easy to access when needed. I highly recommend it!”

    Kathryn Flanigan, MN, NP, MSCP

  • Ready to get started?

    Join a growing community of clinicians taking the course.

    • Self-paced: Fully online curriculum you can start anytime.

    • Expert-led: 7+ hours of video lessons created by NPs and leading specialists.

    • Practice-ready: 200+ pages of downloadable, evidence-based resources.

    • Case-focused: 80 integrated quiz questions to build clinical reasoning.

    • Peer support: A private discussion space for collaboration and clinical advice.

    • Flexible: Study anywhere on your desktop, laptop, or mobile device.

    • Lifetime access: One-time payment with no subscription or hidden fees.

    Download your certificate of completion when you finish.

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Join 1,500+ clinicians learning a systematic approach to lab interpretation