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

For sodium and potassium, how does 1 mEq/L compare with 1 mmol/L?

  1. AThey cannot be compared, as they measure different things
  2. B1 mEq/L equals 2 mmol/L for these ions
  3. CThey are equal, because each ion carries a single charge
  4. D1 mEq/L equals 0.5 mmol/L for these ions
2.Easy

What is a typical adult reference range for the platelet count?

  1. AAbout 4.5–11 × 10³/µL (4.5–11 × 10⁹/L)
  2. BAbout 1000–2000 × 10³/µL (1000–2000 × 10⁹/L)
  3. CAbout 12–16 × 10³/µL (12–16 × 10⁹/L)
  4. DAbout 150–400 × 10³/µL (150–400 × 10⁹/L)
3.Easy

On a liver panel, "direct bilirubin" refers to which form of bilirubin?

  1. AUnconjugated bilirubin
  2. BBilirubin in the stool
  3. CConjugated bilirubin
  4. DTotal urine urobilinogen
4.Medium

Which finding during a transfusion suggests transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO)?

  1. AHives and itching without other signs
  2. BA low temperature and slow heart rate
  3. CBack pain with dark red urine output
  4. DCrackles, hypertension and a raised BNP
5.Medium

A patient with acute pancreatitis has muscle twitching and numbness around the mouth. Which laboratory value should the nurse check?

  1. ASerum amylase
  2. BSerum calcium
  3. CSerum sodium
  4. DSerum chloride
6.Medium

A patient on peritoneal dialysis notices that the drained fluid is cloudy and has abdominal pain. What should the nurse do?

  1. ARecord it as normal and continue the usual exchanges
  2. BSend the fluid for cell count and culture and report it
  3. CStop dialysis for a week and recheck the fluid later
  4. DAdd more glucose to the next bag to clear the fluid
7.Hard

A patient without diabetes in the ICU with sepsis has a glucose of 260 mg/dL (14.4 mmol/L) and an HbA1c of 5.2%. What is the best interpretation?

  1. AStress hyperglycemia from acute illness
  2. BLong-standing undiagnosed type 2 diabetes
  3. CType 1 diabetes from autoimmune damage
  4. DA meter error, because HbA1c is normal
8.Hard

Which set of results is most typical of iron-deficiency anemia?

  1. ALow hemoglobin, small red cells (low MCV) and low ferritin
  2. BNormal hemoglobin with a high platelet count only
  3. CLow hemoglobin, large red cells (high MCV) and high ferritin
  4. DHigh hemoglobin and high hematocrit

Answer key

  1. 1. C · They are equal, because each ion carries a single charge
  2. 2. D · About 150–400 × 10³/µL (150–400 × 10⁹/L)
  3. 3. C · Conjugated bilirubin
  4. 4. D · Crackles, hypertension and a raised BNP
  5. 5. B · Serum calcium
  6. 6. B · Send the fluid for cell count and culture and report it
  7. 7. A · Stress hyperglycemia from acute illness
  8. 8. A · Low hemoglobin, small red cells (low MCV) and low ferritin

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