Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

A urine specific gravity of 1.035 most likely suggests:

1. AVery dilute urine, as in diabetes insipidus
2. BA urinary tract infection
3. CNormal urine for every patient
4. DConcentrated urine, as in dehydration

Why is serum creatinine a better marker of kidney function than BUN?

1. AIt is less affected by diet, hydration and bleeding in the gut
2. BIt is made by the liver, so it rises in every kind of illness
3. CIt is affected mainly by protein intake, which is easy to control
4. DIt is not filtered by the kidneys, so its level stays very stable

Which statement about HDL cholesterol is correct?

1. AIt should ideally be kept below 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L)
2. BIt is the same as the fasting triglyceride level
3. CHigher levels are the main cause of plaque in the arteries
4. DHigher levels are linked to a lower risk of heart disease

A patient starts high-dose prednisone. Which laboratory change should the nurse expect?

1. AA rise in serum potassium
2. BA rise in blood glucose
3. CA fall in serum sodium
4. DA fall in the white cell count

A patient taking spironolactone asks about using a salt substitute. What should the nurse explain?

1. ASalt substitutes are fine as long as the patient drinks more water
2. BSalt substitutes are safe because they contain only sodium chloride
3. CMost salt substitutes contain potassium and can raise the level too high
4. DSalt substitutes protect against the potassium loss caused by this drug

A week after a splenectomy, a patient's platelet count is 650 × 10³/µL. What is the best interpretation?

1. AA sign of iron overload from the surgery and transfusion
2. BA laboratory error, because platelets fall after splenectomy
3. CA sign of new leukemia that needs immediate chemotherapy
4. DAn expected rise after splenectomy that increases clot risk

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 clozapine reports a sore throat and fever. The ANC is 400/µL (0.4 × 10⁹/L). What should the nurse do?

1. AHalve the dose and give it with a throat lozenge
2. BGive the next dose and recheck the ANC next month
3. CHold the clozapine and report the result at once
4. DGive the dose with food to protect the stomach