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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1.Easy

What is the main role of fibrinogen in the blood?

  1. AIt transports iron from the gut to the bone marrow
  2. BIt breaks down clots once the bleeding has stopped
  3. CIt carries oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues
  4. DIt is converted to fibrin, which forms the mesh of a clot
2.Easy

When is a vancomycin trough level drawn?

  1. AImmediately after the infusion has finished running
  2. BAt any convenient time of day, regardless of when the dose is due
  3. CTwo hours after the start of the infusion
  4. DJust before the next dose, usually within 30 minutes of it
3.Easy

Which ECG change is typical of hypokalemia?

  1. AST elevation in two or more neighboring leads
  2. BTall, peaked T waves and a wide QRS
  3. CDelta waves and a short PR interval
  4. DFlattened T waves and prominent U waves
4.Medium

A patient has had severe watery diarrhea for 4 days. Which laboratory pattern would the nurse expect?

  1. ALow glucose and high magnesium
  2. BHigh sodium and high calcium
  3. CHigh potassium and high bicarbonate
  4. DLow potassium and low bicarbonate
5.Medium

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

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

A patient with sepsis has a lactate of 2.1 mmol/L on admission and 4.3 mmol/L two hours later, despite IV fluids. What does this suggest?

  1. AImproving circulation as the fluids start to work
  2. BA normal response to IV fluids in the first hours
  3. CExpected muscle activity from shivering in fever
  4. DWorsening tissue perfusion that needs urgent reporting
7.Hard

A patient receiving chemotherapy has a white cell count of 1.8 × 10³/µL with 20% neutrophils and 5% bands. What is the absolute neutrophil count (ANC)?

  1. A360/µL
  2. B450/µL
  3. C1,800/µL
  4. D4,500/µL
8.Hard

A patient with a long-standing lung condition has a serum bicarbonate of 32 mEq/L, an arterial PaCO₂ that is always high and a pH of 7.36. Which condition fits best?

  1. AAcute diabetic ketoacidosis with severe dehydration and vomiting
  2. BAcute aspirin overdose with rapid breathing
  3. CAcute severe diarrhea with large bicarbonate losses
  4. DCOPD with chronic CO₂ retention and metabolic compensation

Answer key

  1. 1. D · It is converted to fibrin, which forms the mesh of a clot
  2. 2. D · Just before the next dose, usually within 30 minutes of it
  3. 3. D · Flattened T waves and prominent U waves
  4. 4. D · Low potassium and low bicarbonate
  5. 5. C · IV regular insulin given with glucose
  6. 6. D · Worsening tissue perfusion that needs urgent reporting
  7. 7. B · 450/µL
  8. 8. D · COPD with chronic CO₂ retention and metabolic compensation

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