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

Why is AST less specific for liver damage than ALT?

  1. AAST is not measured in the blood at all
  2. BAST is made by the bone marrow, not the liver
  3. CAST is also found in heart and skeletal muscle
  4. DAST is found only in the kidney tubules
2.Easy

A patient has a hemoglobin of 19.5 g/dL (195 g/L) and a hematocrit of 58%. Which term describes this?

  1. APancytopenia (all cells low)
  2. BIron-deficiency anemia
  3. CPolycythemia (erythrocytosis)
  4. DThrombocytopenia (low platelets)
3.Easy

What is a typical adult reference range for serum potassium?

  1. A3.5–5.0 mEq/L
  2. B1.3–2.1 mEq/L
  3. C135–145 mEq/L
  4. D6.0–8.0 mEq/L
4.Medium

A patient has a hot, swollen big toe. The serum uric acid is normal. Which statement is correct?

  1. AGout is still possible, as urate can be normal in an attack
  2. BGout is certain, as a normal urate proves the diagnosis
  3. CGout can only be diagnosed with a CT scan of the foot
  4. DGout is ruled out, as uric acid is always high in an attack
5.Medium

A pregnant woman's blood type is O Rh-negative, and her antibody screen (indirect Coombs test) is negative. What is usually offered at about 28 weeks?

  1. AAnti-D immunoglobulin (Rho(D) immune globulin)
  2. BAn IV dose of vitamin K given for the fetus
  3. CA transfusion of group O Rh-positive red cells
  4. DDaily oral iron and folic acid supplements only
6.Medium

A patient with suspected pulmonary TB needs sputum samples for acid-fast bacilli. Which instruction is correct?

  1. AGive several samples of nasal mucus blown into a tissue
  2. BGive one sample after brushing with mouthwash so it is clean
  3. CGive several deep-cough samples, often first thing in the morning
  4. DGive one sample of saliva collected from the mouth at any time of day
7.Hard

A patient on hemodialysis receives epoetin, but the hemoglobin has not risen in 2 months. Which results should be checked first?

  1. ATroponin and creatine kinase
  2. BAmylase and lipase levels
  3. CTSH and the free T3 level
  4. DFerritin and transferrin saturation
8.Hard

A patient arrives 30 minutes after vomiting a large amount of blood. The heart rate is 125/min, but the first hemoglobin is 13.0 g/dL (130 g/L). Why is the hemoglobin misleading?

  1. AThe test is never accurate in emergency situations
  2. BWhole blood is lost, so the level falls only hours later
  3. CHemoglobin rises during bleeding, which hides the loss
  4. DThe value proves there is no significant bleeding

Answer key

  1. 1. C · AST is also found in heart and skeletal muscle
  2. 2. C · Polycythemia (erythrocytosis)
  3. 3. A · 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
  4. 4. A · Gout is still possible, as urate can be normal in an attack
  5. 5. A · Anti-D immunoglobulin (Rho(D) immune globulin)
  6. 6. C · Give several deep-cough samples, often first thing in the morning
  7. 7. D · Ferritin and transferrin saturation
  8. 8. B · Whole blood is lost, so the level falls only hours later

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