Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

Why is prealbumin (transthyretin) sometimes used to follow a patient's nutritional status instead of albumin?

1. AIt is not affected by inflammation or liver disease
2. BIt has a long half-life, so it changes over months
3. CIt is measured in urine, so no blood test is needed
4. DIt has a short half-life, so it changes within days

What is a typical adult reference range for the white blood cell count?

1. AAbout 4.5–11 × 10³/µL (4.5–11 × 10⁹/L)
2. BAbout 0.5–1.0 × 10³/µL (0.5–1.0 × 10⁹/L)
3. CAbout 25–40 × 10³/µL (25–40 × 10⁹/L)
4. DAbout 150–400 × 10³/µL (150–400 × 10⁹/L)

A laboratory reports that a blood sample is "hemolyzed." What does this mean?

1. AThe sample has a very low hemoglobin
2. BThe sample contains too many platelets
3. CThe sample was taken from an artery
4. DRed cells in the sample have broken open

A patient's potassium is unexpectedly 5.8 mEq/L. The sample was taken after the tourniquet was on for several minutes while the patient pumped their fist. What is the best interpretation?

1. AThe result may be falsely high and should be repeated with better technique
2. BThe result confirms true hyperkalemia and needs no further checking
3. CFist pumping lowers potassium, so the true level is even higher
4. DTourniquet time affects only the glucose result, not the potassium

A patient with joint aches has a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test. Which statement is correct?

1. AA positive ANA means the patient has a viral infection
2. BA positive ANA supports lupus but does not diagnose it alone
3. CA positive ANA proves the patient has rheumatoid arthritis
4. DA positive ANA rules out all other autoimmune diseases

In countries that screen all pregnant women (such as the US), a vaginal-rectal swab is taken at about 36–37 weeks. Which organism is it screening for?

1. AStaphylococcus aureus
2. BCandida albicans
3. CGroup B Streptococcus
4. DHepatitis B virus

The nurse prepares a patient for a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test tomorrow morning. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?

1. A"I'll stay seated during the test if I can"
2. B"I'll avoid smoking until the test is over"
3. C"I can have a light breakfast before the test"
4. D"I'll fast overnight but can drink plain water"

A patient in hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state has a glucose of 1,050 mg/dL (58 mmol/L), very dry mucous membranes and a fast pulse. Which treatment is usually the first priority?

1. ALarge-volume IV fluid replacement
2. BOral glucose-lowering tablets
3. CAn IV bolus of sodium bicarbonate
4. DStrict fluid restriction