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

Uric acid in the blood is a breakdown product of:

  1. AHemoglobin
  2. BGlucose
  3. CPurines
  4. DFats
2.Easy

What is the difference between serum and plasma?

  1. ASerum and plasma are two names for exactly the same fluid
  2. BPlasma is the fluid left after blood clots, without fibrinogen
  3. CSerum contains all the red cells, while plasma contains none
  4. DSerum is what is left after blood clots, minus clotting factors
3.Easy

What is a typical reference range for serum osmolality?

  1. AAbout 135–145 mOsm/kg
  2. BAbout 50–100 mOsm/kg
  3. CAbout 275–295 mOsm/kg
  4. DAbout 400–500 mOsm/kg
4.Medium

A healthy patient has a mildly raised CK after running a marathon yesterday, without dark urine or symptoms. What is the most likely explanation?

  1. AThe patient has developed acute hepatitis
  2. BThe patient has developed acute pancreatitis
  3. CAn acute myocardial infarction has occurred
  4. DStrenuous exercise raised CK from skeletal muscle
5.Medium

How should a blood sample for serum ammonia be handled?

  1. ALeft at room temperature for several hours first
  2. BKept warm and sent with the next routine batch
  3. CPlaced on ice and sent to the laboratory at once
  4. DShaken firmly to mix it before it is sent away
6.Medium

How does normal pregnancy usually affect serum creatinine?

  1. AIt rises, because GFR falls
  2. BIt rises with every week
  3. CIt falls, because GFR rises
  4. DIt stays exactly the same
7.Hard

During an IV magnesium sulfate infusion, which assessment best detects toxicity early?

  1. ASkin color and capillary refill every hour
  2. BBlood glucose and pupil size every hour
  3. CKnee reflexes, respiratory rate and urine output
  4. DBowel sounds and abdominal girth
8.Hard

A patient arrives 30 minutes after vomiting a large amount of blood. The heart rate is 125/min, but the first hemoglobin is 13.0 g/dL (130 g/L). Why is the hemoglobin misleading?

  1. AWhole blood is lost, so the level falls only hours later
  2. BThe value proves there is no significant bleeding
  3. CThe test is never accurate in emergency situations
  4. DHemoglobin rises during bleeding, which hides the loss

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Purines
  2. 2. D · Serum is what is left after blood clots, minus clotting factors
  3. 3. C · About 275–295 mOsm/kg
  4. 4. D · Strenuous exercise raised CK from skeletal muscle
  5. 5. C · Placed on ice and sent to the laboratory at once
  6. 6. C · It falls, because GFR rises
  7. 7. C · Knee reflexes, respiratory rate and urine output
  8. 8. A · Whole blood is lost, so the level falls only hours later

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