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

Which finding is typical of a high serum magnesium?

  1. AReduced or absent deep tendon reflexes
  2. BOveractive reflexes and muscle twitching
  3. CA strong urge to drink water
  4. DCarpal spasm when a cuff is inflated
2.Easy

What is a typical reference range for the reticulocyte count in an adult?

  1. AAbout 40–50% of red cells
  2. BAbout 0.01–0.05% of red cells
  3. CAbout 0.5–2% of red cells
  4. DAbout 10–20% of red cells
3.Easy

A raised B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level most strongly supports which condition in a breathless patient?

  1. AHeart failure
  2. BPneumonia
  3. CAsthma attack
  4. DPanic attack
4.Medium

In the third trimester of pregnancy, a woman's alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is about twice the usual adult range, and the other liver tests are normal. What is the best interpretation?

  1. AA sign of blocked bile ducts
  2. BA normal rise from placental ALP
  3. CA sign of acute viral hepatitis
  4. DA sign of new bone cancer
5.Medium

Why is a blood β-hydroxybutyrate level often preferred to a urine ketone dipstick in DKA?

  1. AIt shows the average ketone level over the past three months
  2. BIt is the only test that can measure glucose and ketones together
  3. CThe urine dipstick only detects ketones in people without diabetes
  4. DIt measures the main ketone in DKA, and the dipstick may miss it
6.Medium

How should a patient collect a clean-catch midstream urine sample?

  1. ACollect urine from the toilet bowl after voiding into the toilet
  2. BClean the area, start voiding into the toilet, then catch the middle part
  3. CCollect the very first urine of the stream directly in the sterile cup
  4. DFill the cup completely, then add tap water if there is not enough
7.Hard

A nursing student has a positive interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) for tuberculosis, no symptoms and a normal chest X-ray. What does this most likely mean?

  1. ALatent TB infection, which is not contagious
  2. BA false result, as the test does not detect TB
  3. CPast BCG vaccination only, with no infection
  4. DActive pulmonary TB, which is contagious
8.Hard

A patient with a sodium of 132 mEq/L and blood glucose of 600 mg/dL (33.3 mmol/L) is admitted. Why is the sodium value interpreted with care?

  1. AThe sodium result must be a laboratory error
  2. BHigh glucose raises the measured sodium falsely, so it is really lower
  3. CGlucose has no effect on the measured sodium
  4. DHigh glucose draws water into the blood, diluting the sodium

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Reduced or absent deep tendon reflexes
  2. 2. C · About 0.5–2% of red cells
  3. 3. A · Heart failure
  4. 4. B · A normal rise from placental ALP
  5. 5. D · It measures the main ketone in DKA, and the dipstick may miss it
  6. 6. B · Clean the area, start voiding into the toilet, then catch the middle part
  7. 7. A · Latent TB infection, which is not contagious
  8. 8. D · High glucose draws water into the blood, diluting the sodium

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