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 who has not eaten for 2 days has ketones in the urine. What is the most likely reason?

  1. AThe bladder has a bacterial infection
  2. BThe kidneys are leaking protein
  3. CThe liver is making too much glucose
  4. DThe body is burning fat for energy
2.Easy

What does the specificity of a diagnostic test describe?

  1. AThe proportion of people without the disease who test negative
  2. BThe cost of the test compared with other tests
  3. CThe proportion of people with the disease who test positive
  4. DThe total number of people who take the test each year
3.Easy

Which ECG change is linked to hypercalcemia?

  1. AA prolonged QT interval
  2. BA shortened QT interval
  3. CProminent U waves
  4. DTall, peaked T waves
4.Medium

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. BMetformin
  3. CLevothyroxine
  4. DAcetaminophen (paracetamol)
5.Medium

A patient had a total gastrectomy. Which long-term therapy is needed to prevent anemia?

  1. ALifelong vitamin B12 replacement
  2. BLifelong oral folic acid tablets only
  3. CMonthly transfusions of red blood cells
  4. DWeekly doses of oral vitamin K tablets
6.Medium

A patient takes high-dose furosemide. Besides potassium, which electrolyte is most commonly lowered?

  1. AUric acid
  2. BSodium bicarbonate
  3. CMagnesium
  4. DPhosphate
7.Hard

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

Four results arrive at the same time. Which patient should the nurse see first?

  1. AHemoglobin 10.4 g/dL (104 g/L) in a patient with stable chronic kidney disease
  2. BWhite cell count 12.0 × 10³/µL on the first day after surgery
  3. CINR 2.6 in a patient on warfarin for atrial fibrillation
  4. DGlucose 48 mg/dL (2.7 mmol/L) in a patient who had insulin an hour ago

Answer key

  1. 1. D · The body is burning fat for energy
  2. 2. A · The proportion of people without the disease who test negative
  3. 3. B · A shortened QT interval
  4. 4. B · Metformin
  5. 5. A · Lifelong vitamin B12 replacement
  6. 6. C · Magnesium
  7. 7. D · "I can have a light breakfast before the test"
  8. 8. D · Glucose 48 mg/dL (2.7 mmol/L) in a patient who had insulin an hour ago

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