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 a typical adult reference range for blood urea nitrogen (BUN)?

  1. AAbout 135–145 mg/dL (urea 48–52 mmol/L)
  2. BAbout 7–20 mg/dL (urea 2.5–7.1 mmol/L)
  3. CAbout 70–99 mg/dL (urea 25–35 mmol/L)
  4. DAbout 0.6–1.2 mg/dL (urea 0.2–0.4 mmol/L)
2.Easy

Using American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria, which HbA1c range is classed as prediabetes?

  1. A8.0–9.0% (64–75 mmol/mol)
  2. B6.5–7.5% (48–58 mmol/mol)
  3. C5.7–6.4% (39–47 mmol/mol)
  4. D4.0–5.6% (20–38 mmol/mol)
3.Easy

A laboratory reports that a blood sample is "hemolyzed." What does this mean?

  1. ARed cells in the sample have broken open
  2. BThe sample was taken from an artery
  3. CThe sample contains too many platelets
  4. DThe sample has a very low hemoglobin
4.Medium

A patient has a calcium of 7.0 mg/dL (1.75 mmol/L) and tingling around the mouth. Which nursing measure is most appropriate?

  1. ALimit dairy products until the level falls again
  2. BPut seizure precautions in place and report the result
  3. CEncourage 3 L of fluid per day to dilute the calcium
  4. DPromote walking to move calcium back into the bone
5.Medium

A patient taking a statin reports new, unexplained muscle pain and weakness. Which laboratory test would the nurse expect to be ordered?

  1. ACreatine kinase (CK)
  2. BSerum lipase
  3. CCardiac troponin
  4. DSerum ammonia
6.Medium

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

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

A patient's potassium is 7.2 mEq/L, and the monitor shows wide QRS complexes. Several treatments are prescribed. Which should be given first?

  1. AAn oral potassium binder dose
  2. BIV furosemide (a loop diuretic)
  3. CIV calcium gluconate (or chloride)
  4. DUrgent hemodialysis session
8.Hard

After lying on the floor for many hours, a patient has a CK of 40,000 U/L, a potassium of 6.1 mEq/L and dark urine. Which prescribed treatment is the priority?

  1. AAn oral potassium supplement with each meal
  2. BFluid restriction to protect the heart from overload
  3. CLarge-volume IV fluids with cardiac monitoring
  4. DHigh-dose NSAIDs for the muscle pain

Answer key

  1. 1. B · About 7–20 mg/dL (urea 2.5–7.1 mmol/L)
  2. 2. C · 5.7–6.4% (39–47 mmol/mol)
  3. 3. A · Red cells in the sample have broken open
  4. 4. B · Put seizure precautions in place and report the result
  5. 5. A · Creatine kinase (CK)
  6. 6. B · High fat in the sample may interfere with some test results
  7. 7. C · IV calcium gluconate (or chloride)
  8. 8. C · Large-volume IV fluids with cardiac monitoring

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