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

What does the red cell distribution width (RDW) describe?

  1. AHow much the red cells vary in size
  2. BHow fast the red cells settle in a tube
  3. CHow many red cells are young cells
  4. DHow long red cells survive in the blood
2.Easy

Why can bilirubin appear in the urine in obstructive jaundice but not in hemolytic jaundice?

  1. AThe kidneys are always damaged in obstructive jaundice
  2. BUnconjugated bilirubin is broken down in the bladder
  3. COnly conjugated bilirubin is water soluble and filtered
  4. DHemolysis stops the kidneys making any urine at all
3.Easy

Thrombocytopenia is usually defined as a platelet count below:

  1. A1,000 × 10³/µL (1,000 × 10⁹/L)
  2. B15 × 10³/µL (15 × 10⁹/L)
  3. C450 × 10³/µL (450 × 10⁹/L)
  4. D150 × 10³/µL (150 × 10⁹/L)
4.Medium

A patient with HIV on antiretroviral therapy has an undetectable viral load. What does this mean?

  1. AThe CD4 count must now be dangerously low too
  2. BThe treatment is suppressing the virus very well
  3. CThe virus has been completely cured and removed
  4. DThe treatment can now be stopped without any risk
5.Medium

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

  1. ASerum sodium, because it rises quickly
  2. BHemoglobin, because insulin causes red cell loss
  3. CBlood glucose, because hypoglycemia can occur
  4. DSerum calcium, because it falls sharply
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. AAcute blood loss with dilution
  2. BKidney failure with dilute urine
  3. CDehydration with hemoconcentration
  4. DFluid overload
7.Hard

A patient without symptoms has a TSH of 7.5 mIU/L on two occasions with a normal free T4. Which term fits best?

  1. ASubclinical hyperthyroidism
  2. BOvert primary hypothyroidism
  3. CSubclinical hypothyroidism
  4. DSecondary hypothyroidism
8.Hard

Four results arrive at the same time. Which patient should the nurse see first?

  1. AINR 2.6 in a patient on warfarin for atrial fibrillation
  2. BWhite cell count 12.0 × 10³/µL on the first day after surgery
  3. CGlucose 48 mg/dL (2.7 mmol/L) in a patient who had insulin an hour ago
  4. DHemoglobin 10.4 g/dL (104 g/L) in a patient with stable chronic kidney disease

Answer key

  1. 1. A · How much the red cells vary in size
  2. 2. C · Only conjugated bilirubin is water soluble and filtered
  3. 3. D · 150 × 10³/µL (150 × 10⁹/L)
  4. 4. B · The treatment is suppressing the virus very well
  5. 5. C · Blood glucose, because hypoglycemia can occur
  6. 6. C · Dehydration with hemoconcentration
  7. 7. C · Subclinical hypothyroidism
  8. 8. C · Glucose 48 mg/dL (2.7 mmol/L) in a patient who had insulin an hour ago

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