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 finding is typical of a high serum magnesium?

  1. AA strong urge to drink water
  2. BReduced or absent deep tendon reflexes
  3. CCarpal spasm when a cuff is inflated
  4. DOveractive reflexes and muscle twitching
2.Easy

Which hormone is measured in blood or urine to test for pregnancy?

  1. AAntidiuretic hormone (ADH)
  2. BFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
  3. CThyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
  4. DHuman chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
3.Easy

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. BDrinks a measured glucose solution, and glucose is checked 2 hours later
  3. CFasts for 3 days, and glucose is checked every morning before breakfast
  4. DReceives an insulin injection, and glucose is checked each hour
4.Medium

A patient with HIV on antiretroviral therapy has an undetectable viral load. What does this mean?

  1. AThe virus has been completely cured and removed
  2. BThe treatment is suppressing the virus very well
  3. CThe treatment can now be stopped without any risk
  4. DThe CD4 count must now be dangerously low too
5.Medium

Why do patients with chronic kidney disease often have anemia?

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

A patient has weight loss, tremor and heat intolerance. Which thyroid test pattern fits Graves disease?

  1. AHigh TSH with a normal free T4
  2. BNormal TSH with a low free T4
  3. CHigh TSH with a low free T4
  4. DLow TSH with a high free T4
7.Hard

A patient with thalassemia major has received regular red cell transfusions for years. The ferritin is now very high. What does this most likely show, and what treatment is used?

  1. AIron overload, treated with iron chelation therapy
  2. BAcute infection, treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics
  3. CLiver failure, treated with a liver transplant at once
  4. DIron deficiency, treated with IV iron supplements
8.Hard

A patient who had pituitary surgery has fatigue and cold intolerance. The free T4 is low and the TSH is low. What does this pattern suggest?

  1. AHyperthyroidism from overactivity of the thyroid gland
  2. BPrimary hypothyroidism from failure of the thyroid gland
  3. CNormal thyroid function with a laboratory error in T4
  4. DSecondary (central) hypothyroidism from pituitary failure

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Reduced or absent deep tendon reflexes
  2. 2. D · Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
  3. 3. B · Drinks a measured glucose solution, and glucose is checked 2 hours later
  4. 4. B · The treatment is suppressing the virus very well
  5. 5. D · The kidneys make less erythropoietin, which drives red cell production
  6. 6. D · Low TSH with a high free T4
  7. 7. A · Iron overload, treated with iron chelation therapy
  8. 8. D · Secondary (central) hypothyroidism from pituitary failure

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