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 urine dipstick is positive for nitrites. What does this most likely show?

  1. ARed blood cells leaking from the glomeruli
  2. BGlucose spilling into the urine from high blood levels
  3. CKetones produced from fat breakdown in fasting
  4. DBacteria in the urine that convert nitrate to nitrite
2.Easy

A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) of at least which value is usually called moderately increased albuminuria?

  1. A30 mg/g (3 mg/mmol)
  2. B3 mg/g (0.3 mg/mmol)
  3. C3,000 mg/g (300 mg/mmol)
  4. D300 mg/dL (3 mg/mL)
3.Easy

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

  1. AThrombocytopenia (low platelets)
  2. BPancytopenia (all cells low)
  3. CPolycythemia (erythrocytosis)
  4. DIron-deficiency anemia
4.Medium

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 the symptoms have fully settled
  2. BBefore the first dose of antibiotic
  3. CAt any time, as antibiotics do not matter
  4. DAfter 3 days of antibiotic treatment
5.Medium

How should a blood sample for serum ammonia be handled?

  1. AKept warm and sent with the next routine batch
  2. BLeft at room temperature for several hours first
  3. CShaken firmly to mix it before it is sent away
  4. DPlaced on ice and sent to the laboratory at once
6.Medium

A patient takes valproate (valproic acid) for epilepsy. Which tests are monitored regularly?

  1. ATroponin and B-type natriuretic peptide
  2. BSerum lithium and urine specific gravity
  3. CLiver function tests and platelet count
  4. DThyroid function and serum calcium
7.Hard

Which set of results is most typical of iron-deficiency anemia?

  1. AHigh hemoglobin and high hematocrit
  2. BLow hemoglobin, large red cells (high MCV) and high ferritin
  3. CLow hemoglobin, small red cells (low MCV) and low ferritin
  4. DNormal hemoglobin with a high platelet count only
8.Hard

A patient without diabetes in the ICU with sepsis has a glucose of 260 mg/dL (14.4 mmol/L) and an HbA1c of 5.2%. What is the best interpretation?

  1. AA meter error, because HbA1c is normal
  2. BType 1 diabetes from autoimmune damage
  3. CStress hyperglycemia from acute illness
  4. DLong-standing undiagnosed type 2 diabetes

Answer key

  1. 1. D · Bacteria in the urine that convert nitrate to nitrite
  2. 2. A · 30 mg/g (3 mg/mmol)
  3. 3. C · Polycythemia (erythrocytosis)
  4. 4. B · Before the first dose of antibiotic
  5. 5. D · Placed on ice and sent to the laboratory at once
  6. 6. C · Liver function tests and platelet count
  7. 7. C · Low hemoglobin, small red cells (low MCV) and low ferritin
  8. 8. C · Stress hyperglycemia from acute illness

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