Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

In a standard 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test, what does the patient do?

1. AEats a normal meal, and glucose is checked once later that evening
2. BFasts for 3 days, and glucose is checked every morning before breakfast
3. CReceives an insulin injection, and glucose is checked each hour
4. DDrinks a measured glucose solution, and glucose is checked 2 hours later

Where does most of the ammonia in the blood come from, and which organ removes it?

1. AFat breakdown in adipose tissue; removed by the lungs
2. BRed cell breakdown in the spleen; removed by the skin
3. CGlucose breakdown in muscle; removed by the pancreas
4. DProtein breakdown by gut bacteria; removed by the liver

In iron-deficiency anemia, the transferrin saturation is usually:

1. AHigh
2. BVariable
3. CNormal
4. DLow

A patient on a heparin infusion has an aPTT of 110 seconds; the protocol target is 1.5–2.5 times the control of 30 seconds. What should the nurse do?

1. AContinue unchanged and repeat the aPTT the next morning
2. BFollow the heparin protocol, check for bleeding and inform the provider
3. CGive vitamin K as prescribed and continue the infusion
4. DIncrease the infusion rate, because the result is above the target range

A patient with hyperkalemia is prescribed an oral potassium binder such as patiromer or sodium zirconium cyclosilicate. How does this drug lower potassium?

1. AIt protects the heart muscle against high potassium levels
2. BIt moves potassium into cells in the next few minutes
3. CIt stops the kidneys from absorbing water in the tubules
4. DIt binds potassium in the gut so it leaves in the stool

On the first day after major surgery, a patient's white cell count is 12.5 × 10³/µL, with no fever or wound signs. What is the best interpretation?

1. AA common stress response to surgery that is monitored
2. BDefinite wound infection that needs antibiotics now
3. CA laboratory error, since surgery lowers white cells
4. DA sign of leukemia that needs bone marrow testing

In the first 24 hours after a major burn, which laboratory pattern is most expected?

1. ALow potassium and low hematocrit
2. BLow sodium and low hematocrit
3. CHigh calcium and high albumin
4. DHigh potassium and high hematocrit

A patient has fever, chills, flank pain and costovertebral angle tenderness. Urinalysis shows many white cells and white cell casts. Which condition is most likely?

1. ASimple cystitis
2. BAcute pyelonephritis
3. CGlomerulonephritis
4. DNephrotic syndrome