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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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

What does normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) look like?

  1. ACloudy and yellow
  2. BThick and green
  3. CClear and colorless
  4. DPink and bloody
2.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
3.Easy

What is the usual diagnostic cut-off for diabetes on a fasting plasma glucose test, when confirmed on a second test?

  1. A100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or higher
  2. B126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher
  3. C200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher
  4. D110 mg/dL (6.1 mmol/L) or higher
4.Medium

How should a blood sample for serum ammonia be handled?

  1. AKept warm and sent with the next routine batch
  2. BShaken firmly to mix it before it is sent away
  3. CLeft at room temperature for several hours first
  4. DPlaced on ice and sent to the laboratory at once
5.Medium

A patient’s fasting glucose today is 98 mg/dL (5.4 mmol/L), but the HbA1c is 8.9% (74 mmol/mol). What is the best interpretation?

  1. AThe patient does not have diabetes
  2. BGlucose control has been poor over the past 2–3 months
  3. CThe HbA1c reflects only the past 24 hours
  4. DToday’s good result shows that diabetes is well controlled
6.Medium

A patient has weight loss, tremor and heat intolerance. Which thyroid test pattern fits Graves disease?

  1. ANormal TSH with a low free T4
  2. BHigh TSH with a normal free T4
  3. CHigh TSH with a low free T4
  4. DLow TSH with a high free T4
7.Hard

A patient on digoxin has a level of 1.2 ng/mL, a potassium of 2.8 mEq/L and new frequent ventricular ectopic beats. What is the best interpretation?

  1. APotassium has no effect on the heart rhythm
  2. BThe patient needs a higher digoxin dose to control the rhythm
  3. CToxicity is possible, because low potassium increases digoxin’s effect
  4. DDigoxin cannot be the cause, because the level is within the usual range
8.Hard

A patient's results: sodium 140 mEq/L, chloride 100 mEq/L, bicarbonate 12 mEq/L. What is the anion gap, and what does it suggest?

  1. A28 mEq/L, a high anion gap
  2. B12 mEq/L, a normal anion gap
  3. C40 mEq/L, a high anion gap
  4. D52 mEq/L, a very high anion gap

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Clear and colorless
  2. 2. D · Red cells in the sample have broken open
  3. 3. B · 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher
  4. 4. D · Placed on ice and sent to the laboratory at once
  5. 5. B · Glucose control has been poor over the past 2–3 months
  6. 6. D · Low TSH with a high free T4
  7. 7. C · Toxicity is possible, because low potassium increases digoxin’s effect
  8. 8. A · 28 mEq/L, a high anion gap

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