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

Which ECG change is linked to hypercalcemia?

  1. AA prolonged QT interval
  2. BTall, peaked T waves
  3. CA shortened QT interval
  4. DProminent U waves
2.Easy

What does a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) show?

  1. ADamage to heart muscle within the past few hours
  2. BA specific infection of the urinary tract by bacteria
  3. CA low level of iron stored in the bone marrow
  4. DInflammation somewhere in the body, without showing where
3.Easy

Below about which blood glucose level is hypoglycemia usually defined and treated in a person with diabetes?

  1. A40 mg/dL (2.2 mmol/L)
  2. B100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L)
  3. C126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L)
  4. D70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L)
4.Medium

A healthy woman at 28 weeks of pregnancy has a mildly lower hemoglobin than before pregnancy, with a normal MCV and ferritin. What is the most likely explanation?

  1. APregnancy hormones stop the bone marrow from making red cells
  2. BThe fetus is destroying the mother's red cells in the circulation
  3. CPlasma volume rises more than red cell mass, diluting the blood
  4. DIron is being lost through the kidneys during the pregnancy
5.Medium

How does IV calcium gluconate help a patient with severe hyperkalemia?

  1. AIt binds potassium in the gut so that it is passed in the stool
  2. BIt stabilizes heart cell membranes without lowering potassium
  3. CIt moves potassium from the blood into the cells
  4. DIt increases potassium excretion by the kidneys
6.Medium

For most hospitalized adults with diabetes who are critically ill, which glucose target range is commonly recommended?

  1. AAbout 60–80 mg/dL (3.3–4.4 mmol/L)
  2. BAbout 300–350 mg/dL (16.7–19.4 mmol/L)
  3. CAbout 250–300 mg/dL (13.9–16.7 mmol/L)
  4. DAbout 140–180 mg/dL (7.8–10 mmol/L)
7.Hard

After chemotherapy for a fast-growing lymphoma, which pattern of results suggests tumor lysis syndrome?

  1. ALow potassium, low phosphate, low uric acid and a raised calcium
  2. BNormal electrolytes with a high hemoglobin
  3. CHigh sodium and low glucose only
  4. DHigh potassium, high phosphate, high uric acid and low calcium
8.Hard

Which patient's result should the nurse act on first?

  1. AHemoglobin 6.4 g/dL (64 g/L) with new chest pain and a pulse of 124/min
  2. BHemoglobin 9.6 g/dL (96 g/L) in a patient with stable chronic kidney disease
  3. CFerritin 15 ng/mL in a well patient with known iron-deficiency anemia on oral iron
  4. DPlatelets 140 × 10³/µL in a patient with mild chronic liver disease

Answer key

  1. 1. C · A shortened QT interval
  2. 2. D · Inflammation somewhere in the body, without showing where
  3. 3. D · 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L)
  4. 4. C · Plasma volume rises more than red cell mass, diluting the blood
  5. 5. B · It stabilizes heart cell membranes without lowering potassium
  6. 6. D · About 140–180 mg/dL (7.8–10 mmol/L)
  7. 7. D · High potassium, high phosphate, high uric acid and low calcium
  8. 8. A · Hemoglobin 6.4 g/dL (64 g/L) with new chest pain and a pulse of 124/min

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