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 laboratory test is used to monitor warfarin therapy?

  1. APT with INR
  2. BD-dimer
  3. CPlatelet count
  4. DaPTT
2.Easy

What is the typical range of urine pH?

  1. AAbout 9.0–11.0
  2. BAbout 7.35–7.45
  3. CAbout 1.0–2.0
  4. DAbout 4.5–8.0
3.Easy

Which hormone is measured in blood or urine to test for pregnancy?

  1. AFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
  2. BHuman chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
  3. CAntidiuretic hormone (ADH)
  4. DThyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
4.Medium

A patient with suspected pulmonary TB needs sputum samples for acid-fast bacilli. Which instruction is correct?

  1. AGive one sample of saliva collected from the mouth at any time of day
  2. BGive several samples of nasal mucus blown into a tissue
  3. CGive several deep-cough samples, often first thing in the morning
  4. DGive one sample after brushing with mouthwash so it is clean
5.Medium

A patient with sepsis has a lactate of 2.1 mmol/L on admission and 4.3 mmol/L two hours later, despite IV fluids. What does this suggest?

  1. AWorsening tissue perfusion that needs urgent reporting
  2. BImproving circulation as the fluids start to work
  3. CA normal response to IV fluids in the first hours
  4. DExpected muscle activity from shivering in fever
6.Medium

An older adult with chronic kidney disease starts trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for a urinary tract infection. Which electrolyte should be monitored closely?

  1. AChloride, because the drug causes chloride loss
  2. BCalcium, because the drug binds calcium in the gut
  3. CSodium, because the drug causes heavy sodium retention
  4. DPotassium, because trimethoprim can raise it
7.Hard

A patient with thalassemia major has received regular red cell transfusions for years. The ferritin is now very high. What does this most likely show, and what treatment is used?

  1. AIron deficiency, treated with IV iron supplements
  2. BIron overload, treated with iron chelation therapy
  3. CLiver failure, treated with a liver transplant at once
  4. DAcute infection, treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics
8.Hard

Four patients had a thyroidectomy earlier today. Which result should the nurse act on first?

  1. AGlucose 145 mg/dL (8.0 mmol/L) after surgery
  2. BHemoglobin 12.1 g/dL (121 g/L) after surgery
  3. CCalcium 7.2 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) with tingling lips
  4. DSodium 136 mEq/L on IV fluids after surgery

Answer key

  1. 1. A · PT with INR
  2. 2. D · About 4.5–8.0
  3. 3. B · Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
  4. 4. C · Give several deep-cough samples, often first thing in the morning
  5. 5. A · Worsening tissue perfusion that needs urgent reporting
  6. 6. D · Potassium, because trimethoprim can raise it
  7. 7. B · Iron overload, treated with iron chelation therapy
  8. 8. C · Calcium 7.2 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) with tingling lips

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