Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

A laboratory flags a result as high using its own reference range, but the value is inside the range in your textbook. Which range should you use for this patient?

1. AThe range used at the hospital where you trained
2. BThe reference range of the laboratory that ran the test
3. CThe textbook range, because textbooks are the national standard
4. DThe widest range that you can find in any source

Where does most of the ammonia in the blood come from, and which organ removes it?

1. ARed cell breakdown in the spleen; removed by the skin
2. BFat breakdown in adipose tissue; removed by the lungs
3. CProtein breakdown by gut bacteria; removed by the liver
4. DGlucose breakdown in muscle; removed by the pancreas

About what proportion of total serum calcium is in the free (ionized) form?

1. AAlmost none
2. BNearly all
3. CAbout half
4. DAbout one tenth

A patient receives subcutaneous enoxaparin (a low-molecular-weight heparin). Which statement about monitoring is correct?

1. AThe aPTT must be checked every 6 hours to adjust the dose
2. BThe INR is used to adjust each dose, as with warfarin
3. CNo blood tests of any kind are ever needed
4. DNo routine aPTT; platelets and kidney function are checked instead

When blood is drawn from a central venous catheter, why is a small volume of blood usually discarded first, according to policy?

1. ATo remove blood clots that form in all central lines
2. BTo check that the catheter tip is still in the right vein
3. CTo avoid diluting the sample with flush or infusion fluid
4. DTo lower the patient's hemoglobin for a blood transfusion

A 55-year-old has a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) during routine screening. What is the usual next step?

1. ARepeat the test in 10 years
2. BReferral for colonoscopy
3. CNo action if there are no symptoms
4. DStart an iron supplement only

A patient's low calcium does not improve despite several days of calcium replacement. Which other electrolyte should be checked and corrected?

1. AChloride
2. BBicarbonate
3. CMagnesium
4. DSodium

A patient taking an SGLT2 inhibitor has nausea and fast breathing. Glucose 190 mg/dL (10.5 mmol/L), pH 7.15, bicarbonate 10 mEq/L, blood ketones high. What is the most likely diagnosis?

1. AEuglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis
2. BSimple fasting ketosis only
3. CHyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
4. DRespiratory acidosis from COPD