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

In a healthy adult, the CSF glucose is usually about what proportion of the blood glucose?

  1. AExactly the same (100%)
  2. BAbout double (200%)
  3. CAbout two-thirds (60%)
  4. DAbout one tenth (10%)
2.Easy

Why is "free T4" often measured rather than total T4?

  1. AThe free form is the form excreted in urine
  2. BThe free form is the unbound, active hormone
  3. CThe free form is the only form made by the gland
  4. DThe free form is stored inside the pituitary
3.Easy

What is the main purpose of a Gram stain?

  1. ATo sort bacteria quickly into gram-positive or negative
  2. BTo test which antibiotics a bacterium is sensitive to
  3. CTo detect viruses in a sample of respiratory secretions
  4. DTo measure exactly how many bacteria are in the blood
4.Medium

A patient has a sodium of 152 mEq/L. Which findings would the nurse expect?

  1. ABradycardia with peaked T waves
  2. BMuscle twitching with a positive Trousseau’s sign
  3. CWeight gain with swollen ankles
  4. DThirst, dry mucous membranes and restlessness
5.Medium

A patient’s hemoglobin is 7.8 g/dL (78 g/L). Which findings would the nurse expect?

  1. AA slow heart rate, flushed skin and a high blood pressure
  2. BHeadache, nosebleeds and a red face
  3. CItching, yellow skin and dark urine
  4. DFatigue, pallor, a fast heart rate and breathlessness on exertion
6.Medium

Why must a low total calcium be interpreted with care in a patient with a low serum albumin?

  1. ALow albumin always causes true, symptomatic hypocalcemia
  2. BLow albumin makes every calcium test inaccurate and useless
  3. CAlbumin and calcium are measured with the same chemical reaction, so they always fall together
  4. DMuch calcium is bound to albumin, so total calcium falls even if ionized calcium is normal
7.Hard

A patient has fatigue, weight gain and constipation. Results: TSH 24 mIU/L, free T4 low, total cholesterol 285 mg/dL (7.4 mmol/L), sodium 131 mEq/L. What is the best interpretation?

  1. AHyperthyroidism, with suppressed thyroid hormone production
  2. BPrimary hypothyroidism, which can raise lipids and lower sodium
  3. CSecondary hypothyroidism from failure of the pituitary gland
  4. DFamilial hypercholesterolemia, unrelated to the thyroid results
8.Hard

Four patients had a thyroidectomy earlier today. Which result should the nurse act on first?

  1. AGlucose 145 mg/dL (8.0 mmol/L) after surgery
  2. BHemoglobin 12.1 g/dL (121 g/L) after surgery
  3. CSodium 136 mEq/L on IV fluids after surgery
  4. DCalcium 7.2 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) with tingling lips

Answer key

  1. 1. C · About two-thirds (60%)
  2. 2. B · The free form is the unbound, active hormone
  3. 3. A · To sort bacteria quickly into gram-positive or negative
  4. 4. D · Thirst, dry mucous membranes and restlessness
  5. 5. D · Fatigue, pallor, a fast heart rate and breathlessness on exertion
  6. 6. D · Much calcium is bound to albumin, so total calcium falls even if ionized calcium is normal
  7. 7. B · Primary hypothyroidism, which can raise lipids and lower sodium
  8. 8. D · Calcium 7.2 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) with tingling lips

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