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 body system shows the main symptoms of a low serum sodium?

  1. AThe nervous system
  2. BThe skin and hair
  3. CThe skeleton
  4. DThe eyes only
2.Easy

What is the usual urine dipstick result for protein in a healthy adult?

  1. APositive only in the morning
  2. BStrongly positive (+++)
  3. CAlways moderately positive
  4. DNegative or trace
3.Easy

A raised eosinophil count is most typical of:

  1. AAllergic conditions and parasitic infections
  2. BAcute bacterial pneumonia and sepsis
  3. CAcute blood loss after trauma
  4. DViral infections such as glandular fever
4.Medium

A patient taking empagliflozin (an SGLT2 inhibitor) has glucose in the urine but a normal blood glucose. What is the best interpretation?

  1. AA sign of kidney failure
  2. BAn expected effect of the drug
  3. CA urinary tract infection
  4. DUncontrolled diabetes needing insulin
5.Medium

Which blood collection practice helps prevent hemolysis of the sample?

  1. AForcing blood quickly through a needle into the tube
  2. BGently inverting the tubes instead of shaking them
  3. CUsing the smallest needle available for every patient
  4. DLeaving the tourniquet on for at least 3 minutes
6.Medium

Which factor is most likely to raise a patient’s lithium level?

  1. ADrinking more fluid than usual in hot weather
  2. BTaking each dose with a meal instead of before
  3. CDehydration or a sudden drop in sodium intake
  4. DEating more salt than usual for several days
7.Hard

At the start of a shift, the nurse reviews four new results. Which patient needs attention first?

  1. APotassium 5.2 mEq/L in a patient with stable chronic kidney disease
  2. BSodium 119 mEq/L in a patient with new confusion and vomiting
  3. CGlucose 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L) after a meal in a patient with diabetes
  4. DHemoglobin 11.0 g/dL (110 g/L) in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis
8.Hard

After a crush injury, a patient's urine dipstick is strongly positive for blood, but microscopy shows almost no red cells. CK is very high. What best explains this?

  1. AMyoglobin from damaged muscle is in the urine
  2. BBleeding is coming from the bladder lining
  3. CThe sample was contaminated with menstrual blood
  4. DA kidney stone is scraping the ureter lining

Answer key

  1. 1. A · The nervous system
  2. 2. D · Negative or trace
  3. 3. A · Allergic conditions and parasitic infections
  4. 4. B · An expected effect of the drug
  5. 5. B · Gently inverting the tubes instead of shaking them
  6. 6. C · Dehydration or a sudden drop in sodium intake
  7. 7. B · Sodium 119 mEq/L in a patient with new confusion and vomiting
  8. 8. A · Myoglobin from damaged muscle is in the urine

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