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 linked to hypercalcemia?

  1. AA prolonged QT interval
  2. BTall, peaked T waves
  3. CA shortened QT interval
  4. DProminent U waves
2.Easy

In iron-deficiency anemia, the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) is usually:

  1. AAbsent
  2. BLow
  3. CNormal
  4. DHigh
3.Easy

When is a vancomycin trough level drawn?

  1. AAt any convenient time of day, regardless of when the dose is due
  2. BTwo hours after the start of the infusion
  3. CJust before the next dose, usually within 30 minutes of it
  4. DImmediately after the infusion has finished running
4.Medium

In chronic kidney disease, a high serum phosphate is usually accompanied by which change in calcium?

  1. AA high serum potassium only, with no calcium change
  2. BNo change in calcium
  3. CA high serum calcium
  4. DA low serum calcium
5.Medium

A nurse has a needlestick injury from a patient with unknown HIV status. Which test is usually done for the nurse as soon as possible?

  1. AA thyroid panel test
  2. BA baseline HIV test
  3. CA serum lipase test
  4. DA sweat chloride test
6.Medium

When should blood cultures be taken for a patient with suspected sepsis?

  1. AAt any time, since antibiotics do not affect the result
  2. BBefore the first antibiotic dose, without delaying it much
  3. COnly if the fever lasts more than three days
  4. DAfter the first three doses of antibiotics
7.Hard

A patient with diabetes had a glucose of 58 mg/dL (3.2 mmol/L), took 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate and, 15 minutes later, the glucose is 64 mg/dL (3.6 mmol/L). The patient is alert. What should the nurse do next?

  1. AGive a long-acting insulin dose to stabilize it
  2. BWait until the next meal before giving anything
  3. CGive another 15 g of fast carbohydrate and recheck
  4. DGive a protein snack only and recheck tomorrow
8.Hard

A patient with ongoing hemolytic anemia has an HbA1c of 4.6%, but home glucose readings are often 180–220 mg/dL (10–12 mmol/L). What best explains the gap?

  1. AThe patient has true, well-controlled diabetes
  2. BThe home glucose meter is reading falsely high
  3. CHemolysis makes the HbA1c test read too high
  4. DShort red cell life span lowers the HbA1c falsely

Answer key

  1. 1. C · A shortened QT interval
  2. 2. D · High
  3. 3. C · Just before the next dose, usually within 30 minutes of it
  4. 4. D · A low serum calcium
  5. 5. B · A baseline HIV test
  6. 6. B · Before the first antibiotic dose, without delaying it much
  7. 7. C · Give another 15 g of fast carbohydrate and recheck
  8. 8. D · Short red cell life span lowers the HbA1c falsely

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