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

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

  1. AAsthma attack
  2. BHeart failure
  3. CPanic attack
  4. DPneumonia
2.Easy

What does a raised C-reactive protein (CRP) mainly indicate?

  1. ADehydration and fluid loss
  2. BKidney failure in particular
  3. CA heart attack in particular
  4. DInflammation in the body
3.Easy

A laboratory reports that a blood sample is "hemolyzed." What does this mean?

  1. AThe sample contains too many platelets
  2. BThe sample has a very low hemoglobin
  3. CThe sample was taken from an artery
  4. DRed cells in the sample have broken open
4.Medium

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

  1. ASalt substitutes protect against the potassium loss caused by this drug
  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 are fine as long as the patient drinks more water
5.Medium

A patient due for digoxin has a potassium of 3.1 mEq/L. Why is this result important?

  1. ALow potassium protects the heart from digoxin side effects
  2. BLow potassium increases the risk of digoxin toxicity
  3. CPotassium and digoxin do not interact
  4. DLow potassium makes digoxin ineffective, so the dose should be doubled
6.Medium

A patient has a hematocrit of 54%, a high BUN and a urine specific gravity of 1.034. What does this pattern suggest?

  1. ADehydration with hemoconcentration
  2. BFluid overload
  3. CKidney failure with dilute urine
  4. DAcute blood loss with dilution
7.Hard

A patient has fatigue, weight loss, darkening of the skin and low blood pressure. Results: sodium 130 mEq/L, potassium 5.6 mEq/L. Which test pattern would confirm primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

  1. ALow cortisol with a high ACTH
  2. BHigh cortisol with a high ACTH
  3. CLow cortisol with a low ACTH
  4. DHigh cortisol with a low ACTH
8.Hard

A patient on a heparin infusion has a platelet count that falls from 260 to 110 × 10³/µL on day 7. Which action is most appropriate?

  1. AContinue the infusion and increase the rate as per protocol
  2. BGive a platelet transfusion and continue the heparin
  3. CReport it at once: heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is possible
  4. DTake no action, because the count is still just above 100 × 10³/µL

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Heart failure
  2. 2. D · Inflammation in the body
  3. 3. D · Red cells in the sample have broken open
  4. 4. C · Most salt substitutes contain potassium and can raise the level too high
  5. 5. B · Low potassium increases the risk of digoxin toxicity
  6. 6. A · Dehydration with hemoconcentration
  7. 7. A · Low cortisol with a high ACTH
  8. 8. C · Report it at once: heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is possible

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