Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

Which type of white blood cell is normally the most numerous in an adult's blood?

1. ANeutrophils
2. BEosinophils
3. CLymphocytes
4. DMonocytes

In a standard 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test, what does the patient do?

1. AEats a normal meal, and glucose is checked once later that evening
2. BFasts for 3 days, and glucose is checked every morning before breakfast
3. CDrinks a measured glucose solution, and glucose is checked 2 hours later
4. DReceives an insulin injection, and glucose is checked each hour

Where is urea, measured as blood urea nitrogen (BUN), made?

1. AIn the muscles, from the breakdown of creatine
2. BIn the kidneys, from the breakdown of glucose
3. CIn the liver, from the breakdown of protein
4. DIn the bone marrow, from old red blood cells

A conscious patient with a blood glucose of 54 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L) has taken 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate. When should the glucose be rechecked?

1. AThe next morning
2. BAt the next meal
3. CAfter about 15 minutes
4. DAfter about 2 hours

A patient has taken a proton pump inhibitor (such as omeprazole) for many years and now has muscle cramps and tremor. Which electrolyte is most likely to be low?

1. AChloride
2. BPhosphate
3. CSodium
4. DMagnesium

A vancomycin trough level is above the target range. Which adverse effect is the main concern?

1. AConstipation and bloating
2. BA raised platelet count (thrombocytosis)
3. CKidney damage (nephrotoxicity)
4. DLow blood glucose (hypoglycemia)

Which finding most strongly suggests that a patient’s raised creatinine is due to acute kidney injury rather than long-standing chronic kidney disease?

1. AThe creatinine was normal three days ago and has doubled since
2. BThe patient has long-standing anemia
3. CThe patient has small kidneys on an ultrasound scan
4. DThe patient has had a high creatinine for many years

A patient on a thiazide diuretic has a sodium of 129 mEq/L, a potassium of 3.2 mEq/L and feels weak. Which explanation fits best?

1. AThe patient is overhydrated from IV fluids only
2. BThe results are typical of kidney failure
3. CThe diuretic is causing sodium and potassium loss
4. DThe patient has primary hyperaldosteronism with high sodium