Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

Where is urea, measured as blood urea nitrogen (BUN), made?

1. AIn the bone marrow, from old red blood cells
2. BIn the kidneys, from the breakdown of glucose
3. CIn the liver, from the breakdown of protein
4. DIn the muscles, from the breakdown of creatine

A raised neutrophil count (neutrophilia) is most typical of:

1. AHay fever and asthma
2. BAcute bacterial infection
3. CA mild viral cold
4. DVitamin B₁₂ deficiency

A positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test means:

1. AThe person had hepatitis A in the past
2. BThe person is immune from vaccination only
3. CThe person currently has hepatitis B infection
4. DThe person has never met the virus

A young adult with new diabetes has a very low C-peptide level. What does this suggest?

1. AThe patient has high insulin resistance, as in type 2 diabetes
2. BThe pancreas is making very little insulin, as in type 1 diabetes
3. CThe kidneys are excreting all of the patient's insulin in urine
4. DThe patient is injecting too much insulin and needs a lower dose

A patient takes high-dose furosemide. Besides potassium, which electrolyte is most commonly lowered?

1. AMagnesium
2. BUric acid
3. CPhosphate
4. DSodium bicarbonate

A patient with hyperkalemia received IV regular insulin with dextrose. Which result must the nurse monitor closely over the next hours?

1. AHemoglobin, because insulin causes red cell loss
2. BSerum sodium, because it rises quickly
3. CBlood glucose, because hypoglycemia can occur
4. DSerum calcium, because it falls sharply

A lithium level of 1.0 mEq/L was drawn 2 hours after the patient’s morning dose, and the prescriber plans to raise the dose. What should the nurse point out?

1. ALithium levels can be drawn at any time of day without affecting the result
2. BThe level is toxic, so lithium should be stopped for good
3. CThe sample was taken too soon after the dose, so it is not a valid level
4. DThe level is too low, so a large increase is clearly safe

A patient using an insulin pump has a glucose of 300 mg/dL (16.7 mmol/L) that has not fallen 2 hours after a correction bolus through the pump. Blood ketones are 1.8 mmol/L. What is the most likely problem and action?

1. ARebound after a hypo; give fast-acting carbohydrate and recheck in 15 minutes
2. BNormal pump function; wait for the next mealtime bolus to lower the glucose
3. CInsulin delivery failure; inject a correction dose by pen and change the set
4. DInsulin overdose from the pump; suspend the pump and stop all insulin for a day