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 ECG change is typical of hypokalemia?

  1. ADelta waves and a short PR interval
  2. BFlattened T waves and prominent U waves
  3. CST elevation in two or more neighboring leads
  4. DTall, peaked T waves and a wide QRS
2.Easy

The serum total protein is made up mainly of:

  1. ASodium and chloride
  2. BHemoglobin and iron
  3. CAlbumin and globulins
  4. DGlucose and urea
3.Easy

What is a typical adult reference range for serum sodium?

  1. A150–165 mEq/L
  2. B3.5–5.0 mEq/L
  3. C135–145 mEq/L
  4. D95–105 mEq/L
4.Medium

A patient with an upper gastrointestinal bleed has a BUN of 48 mg/dL (urea 17 mmol/L) and a normal creatinine. What is the most likely explanation?

  1. ADigested blood adds protein, which the liver turns into urea
  2. BThe liver has stopped making urea because of the bleeding
  3. CSkeletal muscle is breaking down because of the blood loss
  4. DThe kidneys have suddenly lost most of their function
5.Medium

How does the nurse start a 24-hour urine collection at 08:00?

  1. ASave three samples spread across the day and discard all of the urine passed at night
  2. BSave the 08:00 urine as the first sample, then collect until 08:00 the next day
  3. CCollect only the first urine passed on waking, and repeat this the next morning
  4. DHave the patient void and discard that urine, then save all urine until 08:00 the next day
6.Medium

A pregnant woman's blood type is O Rh-negative, and her antibody screen (indirect Coombs test) is negative. What is usually offered at about 28 weeks?

  1. ADaily oral iron and folic acid supplements only
  2. BA transfusion of group O Rh-positive red cells
  3. CAn IV dose of vitamin K given for the fetus
  4. DAnti-D immunoglobulin (Rho(D) immune globulin)
7.Hard

A patient has fever, chills, flank pain and costovertebral angle tenderness. Urinalysis shows many white cells and white cell casts. Which condition is most likely?

  1. ASimple cystitis
  2. BAcute pyelonephritis
  3. CNephrotic syndrome
  4. DGlomerulonephritis
8.Hard

A patient with severe hypertriglyceridemia has a measured sodium of 128 mEq/L, but a measured serum osmolality is normal, and the patient has no symptoms. What is the most likely explanation?

  1. APseudohyponatremia, an artifact caused by very high lipids
  2. BHyponatremia caused by drinking far too much water
  3. CHyponatremia caused by severe hyperglycemia in diabetes
  4. DTrue hyponatremia from SIADH that needs fluid restriction

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Flattened T waves and prominent U waves
  2. 2. C · Albumin and globulins
  3. 3. C · 135–145 mEq/L
  4. 4. A · Digested blood adds protein, which the liver turns into urea
  5. 5. D · Have the patient void and discard that urine, then save all urine until 08:00 the next day
  6. 6. D · Anti-D immunoglobulin (Rho(D) immune globulin)
  7. 7. B · Acute pyelonephritis
  8. 8. A · Pseudohyponatremia, an artifact caused by very high lipids

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