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

Which ion is the main anion in the fluid outside the cells?

  1. AChloride
  2. BPhosphate
  3. CBicarbonate
  4. DPotassium
2.Easy

What is a typical adult reference range for serum albumin?

  1. AAbout 0.5–1.0 g/dL (5–10 g/L)
  2. BAbout 3.5–5.0 g/dL (35–50 g/L)
  3. CAbout 8.5–10.5 g/dL (85–105 g/L)
  4. DAbout 12–16 g/dL (120–160 g/L)
3.Easy

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

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

When should a blood sample for a digoxin level be drawn to be interpreted correctly?

  1. AOnly after a meal, because food is needed for absorption
  2. BAt least 6–8 hours after a dose, often just before the next one
  3. CAt any time, because digoxin levels do not change during the day
  4. DWithin 30 minutes after an oral dose to show the peak level
5.Medium

A patient on carbamazepine becomes confused and has a headache. Which laboratory result would most likely explain this?

  1. AA high serum potassium
  2. BA high serum calcium
  3. CA low serum sodium
  4. DA low serum magnesium
6.Medium

A week after a splenectomy, a patient's platelet count is 650 × 10³/µL. What is the best interpretation?

  1. AA sign of iron overload from the surgery and transfusion
  2. BA laboratory error, because platelets fall after splenectomy
  3. CAn expected rise after splenectomy that increases clot risk
  4. DA sign of new leukemia that needs immediate chemotherapy
7.Hard

A patient with acute kidney injury after severe dehydration has a rising creatinine. Which urine findings support a prerenal cause rather than acute tubular necrosis (ATN)?

  1. ARed cell casts with heavy protein loss in the urine
  2. BHigh urine sodium and dilute urine with muddy brown granular casts
  3. CWhite cell casts with positive nitrites on the dipstick
  4. DLow urine sodium and concentrated urine with a high specific gravity
8.Hard

A patient with heart failure has a BNP that was very high on admission and is now falling after diuretic treatment. What does this most likely show?

  1. ANew kidney failure caused by the diuretic
  2. BThat the diuretic must be stopped at once
  3. CLess stretch on the heart, consistent with improvement
  4. DWorsening heart failure that needs more fluids

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Chloride
  2. 2. B · About 3.5–5.0 g/dL (35–50 g/L)
  3. 3. B · Red cells in the sample have broken open
  4. 4. B · At least 6–8 hours after a dose, often just before the next one
  5. 5. C · A low serum sodium
  6. 6. C · An expected rise after splenectomy that increases clot risk
  7. 7. D · Low urine sodium and concentrated urine with a high specific gravity
  8. 8. C · Less stretch on the heart, consistent with improvement

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