The first-ever Lab Interpretation Course for Nurse Practitioners in Canada

This virtual, self-paced, on-demand lab interpretation course includes 10+ hours of pre-recorded content and 100+ pages of evidence-based materials.

Developed by NPs for NPs, with input from specialists across Canada, the course focuses on lab interpretation for non-pregnant adults in primary care. While designed for NPs, it’s open to all healthcare providers. You’ll get step-by-step guidance rooted in clinical reasoning and evidence to help you interpret labs with clarity and confidence, and make informed, patient-centred decisions in everyday practice.

Each module explains why tests are ordered, what abnormal results mean, possible underlying causes, next steps for testing, and when to monitor or refer.

Click each module below to explore the content.

• When and why to order labs in primary care

• Key factors to consider

• Test accuracy and reference ranges

• Structured approach to interpretation

• Understand trends vs. isolated values

• Know when to monitor or refer

• Stepwise approach to interpreting red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

• CBC components

• Peripheral blood smear

• RBC abnormalities:

  • Anemia

  • Microcytic anemia

  • Normocytic anemia

  • Macrocytic anemia

  • Polycythemia

• WBC abnormalities:

  • Neutropenia

  • Neutrophilia

  • Lymphocytopenia

  • Lymphocytosis

  • Eosinophilia

  • Thrombocytopenia

  • Thrombocytosis

• Stepwise approach to interpreting iron studies and common nutritional deficiencies

• Iron studies:

  • Ferritin

  • TIBC

  • TSAT

  • Serum iron

• Recognizing patterns

• Iron deficiency anemia vs. anemia of chronic disease

• Vitamin B12 deficiency

• Vitamin D deficiency

• Stepwise approach to interpreting kidney function and common electrolyte abnormalities

• Kidney function:

  • eGFR

  • Creatinine

  • BUN

  • ACR

  • Urinalysis

• AKI vs. CKD

• CKD and staging

• Electrolyte abnormalities:

  • Hyponatremia

  • Hypernatremia

  • Hypokalemia

  • Hyperkalemia

  • Hypercalcemia

• Stepwise approach to interpreting liver function tests

• Liver function tests:

  • ALT

  • AST

  • ALP

  • GGT

  • Bilirubin

  • Albumin

  • INR

• Liver injury patterns

  • Hepatocellular

  • Cholestatic

  • Isolated hyperbilirubinemia

• Hep B

• Hep C

• MASLD

• Stepwise approach to interpreting hormonal and reproductive tests

• Thyroid function

  • TSH

  • Free T4

  • Free T3

  • Anti-TPO

  • Anti-TG

  • TRAb

  • TSI

  • Hypothyroidism

  • Hyperthyroidism

• Female hormone tests

  • FSH/LH

  • E2

  • Progesterone

  • Prolactin

  • Total testosterone

  • DHEAS

  • AMH

• Amenorrhea and irregular cycles

• PCOS

• Perimenopause and menopause

• Infertility

• Male hormone tests

  • Total testosterone

  • Free testosterone

  • FSH/LH

  • Prolactin

  • SHBG

  • Low testosterone

• Adrenal Insufficiency

  • 8 AM cortisol

  • ACTH

• Diabetes:

  • Fasting glucose

  • HbA1c

  • OGTT

  • Random glucose

  • C-peptide

  • Diabetes autoantibodies

  • Differentiating between type 1 vs type 2

• Lipid and related screening:

  • Lipid panel

  • Apo B

  • Lipoprotein(a)

  • CK

• Cardiovascular risk assessment

• Metabolic syndrome

• ESR

• CRP

• RF

• Anti-CCP

• ANA

• Anti-dsDNA