Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

The sweat chloride test is used to diagnose which condition?

1. ASickle cell disease
2. BDiabetes mellitus
3. CHypothyroidism
4. DCystic fibrosis

Which form of bilirubin rises mainly when red cells are broken down faster than normal?

1. AStool bilirubin
2. BUrine bilirubin
3. CUnconjugated (indirect)
4. DConjugated (direct)

What does a drug’s “peak” level measure?

1. AThe average level over a week
2. BThe lowest blood concentration before the next dose
3. CThe level at which the drug becomes toxic
4. DThe highest blood concentration after a dose

A patient with chest pain that started one hour ago has a normal first troponin. What is the correct interpretation?

1. AThe patient can be discharged home straight away
2. BInfarction is not ruled out; troponin is repeated per protocol
3. CInfarction is ruled out, so no further troponin tests are needed
4. DTroponin is not useful in patients with chest pain

A blood sample drawn just after a patient ate a fatty meal is reported as "lipemic." What does this mean for the results?

1. AHigh fat in the sample may interfere with some test results
2. BThe sample shows the patient has diabetic ketoacidosis
3. CThe sample was contaminated by an IV fluid with dextrose
4. DThe results are more accurate than in a fasting sample

A breathless patient in the emergency department has a BNP below 100 pg/mL. What does this suggest?

1. AThe patient has had a myocardial infarction in the past day
2. BThe kidneys are failing and the patient needs dialysis
3. CSevere heart failure is certainly the cause of the problem
4. DHeart failure is an unlikely cause of the breathlessness

A patient with alcohol use disorder has a potassium of 3.0 mEq/L despite two days of replacement. The magnesium is 0.9 mEq/L. What is the most appropriate next step?

1. AStop all electrolyte replacement for 24 hours and recheck
2. BGive a diuretic to remove the excess magnesium
3. CDouble the potassium dose and leave the magnesium for later
4. DReplace the magnesium; low magnesium keeps the kidneys losing potassium

During surgery under general anesthesia, a patient develops a rising end-tidal CO₂, muscle rigidity and tachycardia, then a high potassium and a rising temperature. Which condition is most likely?

1. AHypovolemic shock
2. BMalignant hyperthermia
3. CAcute hemolytic transfusion reaction
4. DHypoglycemia from fasting