Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

What is a typical reference range for serum osmolality?

1. AAbout 400–500 mOsm/kg
2. BAbout 135–145 mOsm/kg
3. CAbout 50–100 mOsm/kg
4. DAbout 275–295 mOsm/kg

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

1. AHuman chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
2. BThyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
3. CAntidiuretic hormone (ADH)
4. DFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

What is the main purpose of a Gram stain?

1. ATo test which antibiotics a bacterium is sensitive to
2. BTo sort bacteria quickly into gram-positive or negative
3. CTo detect viruses in a sample of respiratory secretions
4. DTo measure exactly how many bacteria are in the blood

Why can a patient with liver failure have a raised INR without taking warfarin?

1. ABilirubin directly destroys the clotting factors
2. BThe liver makes most clotting factors, so production falls
3. CAlbumin is a clotting factor, and its level falls
4. DThe kidneys stop clearing the clotting factors from the blood

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 stops the kidneys from absorbing water in the tubules
3. CIt binds potassium in the gut so it leaves in the stool
4. DIt moves potassium into cells in the next few minutes

A patient's eGFR has fallen to 24 mL/min/1.73 m². Which prescribed drug should the nurse question before giving it?

1. AInsulin glargine
2. BLevothyroxine
3. CMetformin
4. DAcetaminophen (paracetamol)

A patient has a hemoglobin of 11.2 g/dL (112 g/L), an MCV of 64 fL, a normal ferritin and a normal-to-high red cell count. What is the most likely cause?

1. AVitamin B₁₂ deficiency
2. BThalassemia trait
3. CIron deficiency
4. DAcute blood loss

A patient on an IV insulin infusion has a blood glucose of 65 mg/dL (3.6 mmol/L). What is the best action?

1. AStop the infusion and leave the glucose recheck until the morning
2. BFollow the protocol for low glucose and inform the provider
3. CGive oral potassium to protect the heart
4. DContinue at the same rate and recheck in four hours