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.

New worksheetPractise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

Using American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria, a fasting plasma glucose of 100–125 mg/dL (5.6–6.9 mmol/L) is classed as:

  1. ANormal fasting glucose for an adult
  2. BPrediabetes (impaired fasting glucose)
  3. CMild hypoglycemia (low glucose)
  4. DType 1 diabetes mellitus
2.Easy

What is a typical adult reference range for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)?

  1. AAbout 0.4–4.0 mIU/L
  2. BAbout 10–20 mIU/L
  3. CAbout 0.01–0.04 mIU/L
  4. DAbout 40–80 mIU/L
3.Easy

The serum total protein is made up mainly of:

  1. AHemoglobin and iron
  2. BSodium and chloride
  3. CAlbumin and globulins
  4. DGlucose and urea
4.Medium

A patient with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) has a sodium of 128 mEq/L. Which prescribed measure would the nurse expect?

  1. AA low-sodium diet
  2. BLarge volumes of IV 5% glucose
  3. CFluid restriction
  4. DEncouraging extra water intake
5.Medium

A patient with hepatic encephalopathy is receiving lactulose. Which finding best shows that the treatment is effective?

  1. ATwo to three soft stools a day and clearer thinking
  2. BSix to eight watery stools a day with dizziness
  3. CA rising serum ammonia with a slower flapping tremor
  4. DNo bowel movement for 2 days and calm sleep
6.Medium

Why do patients with chronic kidney disease often have anemia?

  1. AThe kidneys make less erythropoietin, which drives red cell production
  2. BHigh potassium in kidney disease breaks down red cells
  3. CUremic toxins make the bone marrow produce white cells instead of red cells
  4. DThe damaged kidneys filter out and destroy red blood cells
7.Hard

Weeks after neck surgery, a patient has muscle cramps and tingling. Calcium is low, phosphate is high and parathyroid hormone (PTH) is low. Which condition fits best?

  1. AChronic kidney disease
  2. BPrimary hyperparathyroidism
  3. CHypoparathyroidism
  4. DVitamin D toxicity
8.Hard

A patient with a serum albumin of 1.9 g/dL (19 g/L) has signs of phenytoin toxicity, although the total phenytoin level is in the usual range. What is the most likely explanation?

  1. ALow albumin makes the liver clear phenytoin much faster
  2. BLow albumin raises the free (active) fraction of phenytoin
  3. CLow albumin makes the total level falsely high in all cases
  4. DLow albumin stops phenytoin from crossing into the brain

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose)
  2. 2. A · About 0.4–4.0 mIU/L
  3. 3. C · Albumin and globulins
  4. 4. C · Fluid restriction
  5. 5. A · Two to three soft stools a day and clearer thinking
  6. 6. A · The kidneys make less erythropoietin, which drives red cell production
  7. 7. C · Hypoparathyroidism
  8. 8. B · Low albumin raises the free (active) fraction of phenytoin

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.