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

Which condition commonly causes a high serum potassium?

  1. ARepeated vomiting
  2. BLoop diuretic use
  3. CKidney failure
  4. DSevere diarrhea
2.Easy

The tumor marker CA-125 is most often used to follow which cancer?

  1. AThyroid cancer
  2. BLung cancer
  3. CColon cancer
  4. DOvarian cancer
3.Easy

In the US (NCEP ATP III) classification, which LDL cholesterol level is called optimal for an adult?

  1. AAbout 190 mg/dL (4.9 mmol/L) or more
  2. BAbout 220–260 mg/dL (5.7–6.7 mmol/L)
  3. CAbout 160–189 mg/dL (4.1–4.9 mmol/L)
  4. DBelow 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L)
4.Medium

A patient on peritoneal dialysis notices that the drained fluid is cloudy and has abdominal pain. What should the nurse do?

  1. ASend the fluid for cell count and culture and report it
  2. BStop dialysis for a week and recheck the fluid later
  3. CAdd more glucose to the next bag to clear the fluid
  4. DRecord it as normal and continue the usual exchanges
5.Medium

How does IV calcium gluconate help a patient with severe hyperkalemia?

  1. AIt binds potassium in the gut so that it is passed in the stool
  2. BIt increases potassium excretion by the kidneys
  3. CIt stabilizes heart cell membranes without lowering potassium
  4. DIt moves potassium from the blood into the cells
6.Medium

Which ECG change is linked to hypocalcemia?

  1. AA prolonged QT interval
  2. BA prominent delta wave
  3. CTall, peaked T waves
  4. DA shortened QT interval
7.Hard

A patient has a positive hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) test. What is the most appropriate next step?

  1. ATell the patient they definitely have chronic hepatitis C
  2. BGive hepatitis C vaccine to prevent further infection
  3. CTest for HCV RNA to find out whether infection is current
  4. DRepeat the antibody test, as a positive test is always false
8.Hard

A patient's creatinine was 0.9 mg/dL (80 µmol/L) on admission and is 1.3 mg/dL (115 µmol/L) 36 hours later. Using the common KDIGO criteria, what does this show?

  1. AChronic kidney disease, because creatinine has risen above baseline
  2. BA laboratory error, because creatinine cannot change within 2 days
  3. CNo kidney injury, because the creatinine is still within the normal range
  4. DAcute kidney injury, because it rose by at least 0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Kidney failure
  2. 2. D · Ovarian cancer
  3. 3. D · Below 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L)
  4. 4. A · Send the fluid for cell count and culture and report it
  5. 5. C · It stabilizes heart cell membranes without lowering potassium
  6. 6. A · A prolonged QT interval
  7. 7. C · Test for HCV RNA to find out whether infection is current
  8. 8. D · Acute kidney injury, because it rose by at least 0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours

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