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

What is the usual target INR for a patient taking warfarin for a deep vein thrombosis?

  1. A0.8–1.2
  2. B4.0–5.0
  3. C2.0–3.0
  4. D1.0–1.5
2.Easy

What is a typical adult reference range for serum magnesium?

  1. AAbout 1.3–2.1 mEq/L (0.65–1.05 mmol/L)
  2. BAbout 0.3–0.7 mEq/L (0.15–0.35 mmol/L)
  3. CAbout 6.0–8.0 mEq/L (3.0–4.0 mmol/L)
  4. DAbout 3.5–5.0 mEq/L (1.75–2.5 mmol/L)
3.Easy

Why is AST less specific for liver damage than ALT?

  1. AAST is made by the bone marrow, not the liver
  2. BAST is found only in the kidney tubules
  3. CAST is also found in heart and skeletal muscle
  4. DAST is not measured in the blood at all
4.Medium

A patient with pneumonia had a CRP of 180 mg/L on admission and 40 mg/L after 4 days of antibiotics. What does this most likely show?

  1. AThe inflammation is settling with treatment
  2. BThe infection has spread to another organ
  3. CThe antibiotic is causing liver damage
  4. DThe patient has developed a new infection
5.Medium

How does normal pregnancy usually affect serum creatinine?

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

A patient who is breathless during a transfusion has hypotension, fever and bilateral lung infiltrates, with no signs of fluid overload. Which complication is most likely?

  1. AA simple allergic reaction with hives
  2. BTransfusion-associated circulatory overload
  3. CA mild febrile nonhemolytic reaction
  4. DTransfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)
7.Hard

Which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pattern most strongly suggests bacterial meningitis?

  1. AClear fluid, normal glucose, mildly raised protein, lymphocytes
  2. BClear fluid, high glucose, low protein, many red cells
  3. CClear fluid, normal glucose, normal protein, no white cells
  4. DCloudy fluid, low glucose, high protein, many neutrophils
8.Hard

Weeks after neck surgery, a patient has muscle cramps and tingling. Calcium is low, phosphate is high and parathyroid hormone (PTH) is low. Which condition fits best?

  1. AHypoparathyroidism
  2. BChronic kidney disease
  3. CVitamin D toxicity
  4. DPrimary hyperparathyroidism

Answer key

  1. 1. C · 2.0–3.0
  2. 2. A · About 1.3–2.1 mEq/L (0.65–1.05 mmol/L)
  3. 3. C · AST is also found in heart and skeletal muscle
  4. 4. A · The inflammation is settling with treatment
  5. 5. C · It falls, because GFR rises
  6. 6. D · Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)
  7. 7. D · Cloudy fluid, low glucose, high protein, many neutrophils
  8. 8. A · Hypoparathyroidism

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