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.

New worksheetPractise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

Which laboratory test is used to diagnose sickle cell disease?

  1. AErythrocyte sedimentation rate
  2. BHemoglobin electrophoresis
  3. CSerum ferritin and transferrin saturation
  4. DProthrombin time with INR
2.Easy

Which tube additive is used for a complete blood count (CBC)?

  1. ANo additive, clot activator (red top)
  2. BEDTA (usually a lavender or purple top)
  3. CSodium citrate (usually a light blue top)
  4. DSodium fluoride (usually a gray top)
3.Easy

What is a typical adult reference range for serum sodium?

  1. A135–145 mEq/L
  2. B150–165 mEq/L
  3. C3.5–5.0 mEq/L
  4. D95–105 mEq/L
4.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
5.Medium

How does normal pregnancy usually affect serum creatinine?

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

A patient who has been vomiting for two days has a BUN of 32 mg/dL (urea 11.4 mmol/L) and a normal creatinine. What is the most likely cause?

  1. ALiver failure
  2. BOverhydration
  3. CLow-protein diet
  4. DDehydration
7.Hard

Which patient's result should the nurse act on first?

  1. APlatelets 140 × 10³/µL in a patient with mild chronic liver disease
  2. BFerritin 15 ng/mL in a well patient with known iron-deficiency anemia on oral iron
  3. CHemoglobin 6.4 g/dL (64 g/L) with new chest pain and a pulse of 124/min
  4. DHemoglobin 9.6 g/dL (96 g/L) in a patient with stable chronic kidney disease
8.Hard

A lithium level of 1.0 mEq/L was drawn 2 hours after the patient’s morning dose, and the prescriber plans to raise the dose. What should the nurse point out?

  1. AThe sample was taken too soon after the dose, so it is not a valid level
  2. BLithium levels can be drawn at any time of day without affecting the result
  3. CThe level is toxic, so lithium should be stopped for good
  4. DThe level is too low, so a large increase is clearly safe

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Hemoglobin electrophoresis
  2. 2. B · EDTA (usually a lavender or purple top)
  3. 3. A · 135–145 mEq/L
  4. 4. D · Potassium, because trimethoprim can raise it
  5. 5. A · It falls, because GFR rises
  6. 6. D · Dehydration
  7. 7. C · Hemoglobin 6.4 g/dL (64 g/L) with new chest pain and a pulse of 124/min
  8. 8. A · The sample was taken too soon after the dose, so it is not a valid level

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.