Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

Free printable Lab values & electrolytes worksheet: 8 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

Neutropenia is usually defined as an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) below about:

  1. A1.5 × 10³/µL (1500/mm³)
  2. B15 × 10³/µL (15 000/mm³)
  3. C150 × 10³/µL (150 000/mm³)
  4. D5.0 × 10³/µL (5000/mm³)
2.Easy

What is the effect of insulin on serum potassium?

  1. AIt moves potassium out of cells, raising the serum level
  2. BIt moves potassium into cells, lowering the serum level
  3. CIt makes the kidneys keep more potassium in the blood
  4. DIt has no effect on potassium in any amount
3.Easy

Which fasting plasma glucose meets the usual diagnostic threshold for diabetes when confirmed on a second test?

  1. A100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or higher
  2. B110 mg/dL (6.1 mmol/L) or higher
  3. C200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher
  4. D126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher
4.Medium

Which treatment lowers serum potassium by moving it into the cells?

  1. AOral potassium chloride supplements
  2. BIV 0.45% sodium chloride infusion
  3. CIV calcium gluconate given over 10 minutes
  4. DIV regular insulin given with glucose
5.Medium

A patient taking empagliflozin (an SGLT2 inhibitor) has glucose in the urine but a normal blood glucose. What is the best interpretation?

  1. AA urinary tract infection
  2. BAn expected effect of the drug
  3. CA sign of kidney failure
  4. DUncontrolled diabetes needing insulin
6.Medium

A patient has macrocytic anemia with numbness and tingling of the feet and poor balance. Which deficiency is most likely?

  1. AIron (low ferritin)
  2. BFolate (folic acid)
  3. CVitamin B12
  4. DVitamin C (ascorbic acid)
7.Hard

A patient has a positive hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) test. What is the most appropriate next step?

  1. ATest for HCV RNA to find out whether infection is current
  2. BTell the patient they definitely have chronic hepatitis C
  3. CGive hepatitis C vaccine to prevent further infection
  4. DRepeat the antibody test, as a positive test is always false
8.Hard

A patient on high-dose dexamethasone has a white cell count of 15 × 10³/µL, mostly mature neutrophils with no bands. They have no fever and no signs of infection. What is the most likely explanation?

  1. AA new leukemia that is confirmed by this result alone
  2. BA steroid effect that moves neutrophils into the circulating blood
  3. CCertain sepsis that needs antibiotics started without delay
  4. DA laboratory error, because steroids always lower the white count

Answer key

  1. 1. A · 1.5 × 10³/µL (1500/mm³)
  2. 2. B · It moves potassium into cells, lowering the serum level
  3. 3. D · 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher
  4. 4. D · IV regular insulin given with glucose
  5. 5. B · An expected effect of the drug
  6. 6. C · Vitamin B12
  7. 7. A · Test for HCV RNA to find out whether infection is current
  8. 8. B · A steroid effect that moves neutrophils into the circulating blood

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