Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

Which group of symptoms is linked to hypercalcemia ("stones, bones, groans and moans")?

1. AKidney stones, bone pain, abdominal pain and confusion
2. BJaundice, itching, pale stools and dark urine
3. CTetany, muscle cramps, tingling and seizures
4. DHeat intolerance, tremor, weight loss and diarrhea

What is a typical adult reference range for serum sodium?

1. A95–105 mEq/L
2. B150–165 mEq/L
3. C3.5–5.0 mEq/L
4. D135–145 mEq/L

Which fasting triglyceride level is commonly described as normal?

1. ABelow 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)
2. BAbove 500 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L)
3. CBetween 200 and 499 mg/dL (2.3–5.6 mmol/L)
4. DAbove 1,000 mg/dL (11.3 mmol/L)

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

1. AOnce a day before breakfast
2. BOnce every 12 hours
3. COnly if symptoms occur
4. DAbout every hour

How should a patient collect a clean-catch midstream urine sample?

1. ACollect urine from the toilet bowl after voiding into the toilet
2. BClean the area, start voiding into the toilet, then catch the middle part
3. CFill the cup completely, then add tap water if there is not enough
4. DCollect the very first urine of the stream directly in the sterile cup

A patient has burning on urination and frequency. The dipstick is positive for nitrites and leukocyte esterase, and a urine culture is ordered. When should the sample be taken?

1. AAfter 3 days of antibiotic treatment
2. BAt any time, as antibiotics do not matter
3. CBefore the first dose of antibiotic
4. DAfter the symptoms have fully settled

A patient on a heparin infusion has a platelet count that falls from 260 to 110 × 10³/µL on day 7. Which action is most appropriate?

1. AReport it at once: heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is possible
2. BGive a platelet transfusion and continue the heparin
3. CContinue the infusion and increase the rate as per protocol
4. DTake no action, because the count is still just above 100 × 10³/µL

A patient with a heart murmur and fever has three sets of blood cultures, taken hours apart, all growing the same Streptococcus species. What does this suggest?

1. APersistent bacteremia, as in infective endocarditis
2. BA urinary tract infection that has spread to the skin
3. CContamination of all three samples during collection
4. DA normal finding in patients with heart murmurs