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

A patient has a hemoglobin of 19.5 g/dL (195 g/L) and a hematocrit of 58%. Which term describes this?

  1. APolycythemia (erythrocytosis)
  2. BIron-deficiency anemia
  3. CPancytopenia (all cells low)
  4. DThrombocytopenia (low platelets)
2.Easy

Which fasting blood glucose is within the typical normal range for an adult without diabetes?

  1. A210 mg/dL (11.7 mmol/L)
  2. B85 mg/dL (4.7 mmol/L)
  3. C140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L)
  4. D45 mg/dL (2.5 mmol/L)
3.Easy

What is a typical reference range for urine specific gravity in an adult?

  1. AAbout 0.900–0.990
  2. BAbout 1.005–1.030
  3. CAbout 1.040–1.060
  4. DAbout 1.100–1.300
4.Medium

A patient is on an IV insulin infusion protocol in the ICU. How often is the blood glucose usually checked?

  1. AOnly if symptoms occur
  2. BAbout every hour
  3. COnce every 12 hours
  4. DOnce a day before breakfast
5.Medium

A breathless patient in the emergency department has a BNP below 100 pg/mL. What does this suggest?

  1. ASevere heart failure is certainly the cause of the problem
  2. BThe kidneys are failing and the patient needs dialysis
  3. CThe patient has had a myocardial infarction in the past day
  4. DHeart failure is an unlikely cause of the breathlessness
6.Medium

Why is a blood β-hydroxybutyrate level often preferred to a urine ketone dipstick in DKA?

  1. AThe urine dipstick only detects ketones in people without diabetes
  2. BIt measures the main ketone in DKA, and the dipstick may miss it
  3. CIt shows the average ketone level over the past three months
  4. DIt is the only test that can measure glucose and ketones together
7.Hard

A patient on long-term amiodarone has fatigue and weight gain. TSH is 11 mIU/L and the free T4 is low. What is the most likely explanation?

  1. AAmiodarone-induced hypothyroidism
  2. BAmiodarone-induced hyperthyroidism
  3. CA normal response to amiodarone needing no action
  4. DSecondary hypothyroidism from pituitary failure
8.Hard

After a crush injury, a patient's urine dipstick is strongly positive for blood, but microscopy shows almost no red cells. CK is very high. What best explains this?

  1. AMyoglobin from damaged muscle is in the urine
  2. BThe sample was contaminated with menstrual blood
  3. CBleeding is coming from the bladder lining
  4. DA kidney stone is scraping the ureter lining

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Polycythemia (erythrocytosis)
  2. 2. B · 85 mg/dL (4.7 mmol/L)
  3. 3. B · About 1.005–1.030
  4. 4. B · About every hour
  5. 5. D · Heart failure is an unlikely cause of the breathlessness
  6. 6. B · It measures the main ketone in DKA, and the dipstick may miss it
  7. 7. A · Amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism
  8. 8. A · Myoglobin from damaged muscle is in the urine

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