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

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

Which liver test is especially sensitive to heavy alcohol use?

  1. ACardiac troponin I or T
  2. BSerum creatinine and BUN
  3. CSerum lipase (pancreatic enzyme)
  4. DGamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
3.Easy

What is the commonly cited therapeutic range for serum digoxin?

  1. AAbout 20–40 ng/mL
  2. BAbout 10–20 ng/mL
  3. CAbout 0.05–0.2 ng/mL
  4. DAbout 0.5–2.0 ng/mL
4.Medium

A patient with chest pain that started one hour ago has a normal first troponin. What is the correct interpretation?

  1. ATroponin is not useful in patients with chest pain
  2. BThe patient can be discharged home straight away
  3. CInfarction is ruled out, so no further troponin tests are needed
  4. DInfarction is not ruled out; troponin is repeated per protocol
5.Medium

Why do patients with chronic kidney disease often have anemia?

  1. AThe kidneys make less erythropoietin, which drives red cell production
  2. BUremic toxins make the bone marrow produce white cells instead of red cells
  3. CHigh potassium in kidney disease breaks down red cells
  4. DThe damaged kidneys filter out and destroy red blood cells
6.Medium

A week after a splenectomy, a patient's platelet count is 650 × 10³/µL. What is the best interpretation?

  1. AA laboratory error, because platelets fall after splenectomy
  2. BA sign of new leukemia that needs immediate chemotherapy
  3. CAn expected rise after splenectomy that increases clot risk
  4. DA sign of iron overload from the surgery and transfusion
7.Hard

A patient with a platelet count of 35 × 10³/µL is prescribed an intramuscular injection. What should the nurse do?

  1. AGive the injection as prescribed and massage the site firmly
  2. BAsk the prescriber whether another route can be used
  3. CGive the injection with a longer needle
  4. DGive the injection and apply a heat pack
8.Hard

A patient with suspected Cushing syndrome takes dexamethasone at night. The next morning, the cortisol is still high. What does this suggest?

  1. AThe result is normal, as dexamethasone raises cortisol
  2. BCortisol is being produced without normal feedback control
  3. CThe patient has primary hypothyroidism instead
  4. DThe adrenal glands are not able to produce enough cortisol

Answer key

  1. 1. A · EDTA (usually a lavender or purple top)
  2. 2. D · Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
  3. 3. D · About 0.5–2.0 ng/mL
  4. 4. D · Infarction is not ruled out; troponin is repeated per protocol
  5. 5. A · The kidneys make less erythropoietin, which drives red cell production
  6. 6. C · An expected rise after splenectomy that increases clot risk
  7. 7. B · Ask the prescriber whether another route can be used
  8. 8. B · Cortisol is being produced without normal feedback control

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