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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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

Which fasting triglyceride level is commonly described as normal?

  1. ABetween 200 and 499 mg/dL (2.3–5.6 mmol/L)
  2. BAbove 500 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L)
  3. CBelow 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)
  4. DAbove 1,000 mg/dL (11.3 mmol/L)
2.Easy

What is the main role of fibrinogen in the blood?

  1. AIt breaks down clots once the bleeding has stopped
  2. BIt carries oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues
  3. CIt transports iron from the gut to the bone marrow
  4. DIt is converted to fibrin, which forms the mesh of a clot
3.Easy

Which liver test rises mainly when liver cells are damaged?

  1. AHemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
  2. BCreatine kinase (CK)
  3. CBlood urea nitrogen (BUN)
  4. DALT (alanine aminotransferase)
4.Medium

A patient scheduled for surgery this morning has a potassium of 3.0 mEq/L on pre-operative tests. What should the nurse do?

  1. ARepeat the test after the surgery is finished
  2. BGive an oral potassium dose without a prescription
  3. CReport it to the surgical team before surgery
  4. DSend the patient to surgery without comment
5.Medium

A patient who is breathless during a transfusion has hypotension, fever and bilateral lung infiltrates, with no signs of fluid overload. Which complication is most likely?

  1. AA simple allergic reaction with hives
  2. BTransfusion-associated circulatory overload
  3. CTransfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)
  4. DA mild febrile nonhemolytic reaction
6.Medium

When is a peak level for an IV aminoglycoside such as gentamicin usually drawn?

  1. AAt any time convenient for the patient
  2. BJust before the next dose is started
  3. CExactly 24 hours after the first dose
  4. DAbout 30 minutes after the infusion ends
7.Hard

A patient admitted with heavy alcohol use and malnutrition has a glucose of 52 mg/dL (2.9 mmol/L) and low magnesium. Which prescribed treatment should be given before the IV glucose?

  1. AOral iron
  2. BIV potassium
  3. CIV thiamine
  4. DIV insulin
8.Hard

Which patient should the nurse assess first?

  1. AHeart failure with a BNP lower than the result on admission
  2. BHypertension with a potassium of 3.6 mEq/L on a thiazide
  3. CChest pain with troponin rising from the first to the second sample
  4. DStable angina with a total cholesterol of 245 mg/dL (6.3 mmol/L)

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Below 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)
  2. 2. D · It is converted to fibrin, which forms the mesh of a clot
  3. 3. D · ALT (alanine aminotransferase)
  4. 4. C · Report it to the surgical team before surgery
  5. 5. C · Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)
  6. 6. D · About 30 minutes after the infusion ends
  7. 7. C · IV thiamine
  8. 8. C · Chest pain with troponin rising from the first to the second sample

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