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

The tumor marker CA-125 is most often used to follow which cancer?

  1. AColon cancer
  2. BOvarian cancer
  3. CThyroid cancer
  4. DLung cancer
2.Easy

What is a typical adult reference range for total serum bilirubin?

  1. AAbout 10–20 mg/dL (171–342 µmol/L)
  2. BAbout 0.3–1.2 mg/dL (5–21 µmol/L)
  3. CAbout 3–12 mg/dL (51–205 µmol/L)
  4. DAbout 0.03–0.1 mg/dL (0.5–1.7 µmol/L)
3.Easy

The serum total protein is made up mainly of:

  1. AAlbumin and globulins
  2. BSodium and chloride
  3. CHemoglobin and iron
  4. DGlucose and urea
4.Medium

A vancomycin trough level is above the target range. Which adverse effect is the main concern?

  1. AConstipation and bloating
  2. BKidney damage (nephrotoxicity)
  3. CA raised platelet count (thrombocytosis)
  4. DLow blood glucose (hypoglycemia)
5.Medium

How does the nurse start a 24-hour urine collection at 08:00?

  1. ACollect only the first urine passed on waking, and repeat this the next morning
  2. BHave the patient void and discard that urine, then save all urine until 08:00 the next day
  3. CSave three samples spread across the day and discard all of the urine passed at night
  4. DSave the 08:00 urine as the first sample, then collect until 08:00 the next day
6.Medium

Which instruction is correct for a patient taking an oral potassium chloride supplement?

  1. ATake it on an empty stomach with only a small sip of water to speed absorption
  2. BTake it with food and a full glass of water, and do not crush extended-release tablets
  3. CUse a salt substitute as well, so less of the tablet is needed each day
  4. DCrush the extended-release tablets and mix them with a little water if needed
7.Hard

A patient with chronic kidney disease has a phosphate of 7.2 mg/dL (2.3 mmol/L). Which dietary teaching is most appropriate?

  1. ALimit phosphate-rich foods, such as processed foods and colas
  2. BIncrease milk and cheese to protect the bones from calcium loss
  3. CDrink more cola-type soft drinks to stay hydrated
  4. DTake calcium supplements on an empty stomach instead of the binder
8.Hard

A patient's total calcium is 7.6 mg/dL and the albumin is 2.0 g/dL. Using the common correction (add 0.8 mg/dL for each 1 g/dL that albumin is below 4.0), what is the corrected calcium?

  1. A6.0 mg/dL, well below the normal range
  2. B11.6 mg/dL, above the normal range
  3. C9.2 mg/dL, within the normal range
  4. D7.6 mg/dL, below the normal range

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Ovarian cancer
  2. 2. B · About 0.3–1.2 mg/dL (5–21 µmol/L)
  3. 3. A · Albumin and globulins
  4. 4. B · Kidney damage (nephrotoxicity)
  5. 5. B · Have the patient void and discard that urine, then save all urine until 08:00 the next day
  6. 6. B · Take it with food and a full glass of water, and do not crush extended-release tablets
  7. 7. A · Limit phosphate-rich foods, such as processed foods and colas
  8. 8. C · 9.2 mg/dL, within the normal range

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