Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

Which tube additive is used for a complete blood count (CBC)?

1. ASodium citrate (usually a light blue top)
2. BNo additive, clot activator (red top)
3. CEDTA (usually a lavender or purple top)
4. DSodium fluoride (usually a gray top)

Thrombocytopenia is usually defined as a platelet count below:

1. A15 × 10³/µL (15 × 10⁹/L)
2. B150 × 10³/µL (150 × 10⁹/L)
3. C1,000 × 10³/µL (1,000 × 10⁹/L)
4. D450 × 10³/µL (450 × 10⁹/L)

What does normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) look like?

1. APink and bloody
2. BClear and colorless
3. CCloudy and yellow
4. DThick and green

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. AGive an oral potassium dose without a prescription
2. BRepeat the test after the surgery is finished
3. CReport it to the surgical team before surgery
4. DSend the patient to surgery without comment

A patient had a total gastrectomy. Which long-term therapy is needed to prevent anemia?

1. ALifelong vitamin B₁₂ replacement
2. BLifelong oral folic acid tablets only
3. CWeekly doses of oral vitamin K tablets
4. DMonthly transfusions of red blood cells

Which instruction is correct for a patient starting oral iron tablets?

1. ATake the tablet with an antacid to improve absorption
2. BYour urine will turn bright orange while you take it
3. CTake each tablet with milk to protect the stomach
4. DYour stools may turn dark green or black

A patient has sudden episodes of severe headache, sweating, palpitations and very high blood pressure. Which test is most useful to look for the cause?

1. ASerum TSH and free T₄
2. BFasting lipid profile
3. CSerum calcium only
4. DPlasma free metanephrines

A lithium level of 1.0 mEq/L was drawn 2 hours after the patient’s morning dose, and the prescriber plans to raise the dose. What should the nurse point out?

1. AThe level is too low, so a large increase is clearly safe
2. BLithium levels can be drawn at any time of day without affecting the result
3. CThe sample was taken too soon after the dose, so it is not a valid level
4. DThe level is toxic, so lithium should be stopped for good