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 low mean corpuscular volume (MCV) means that:

  1. AThe red cells are larger than normal (macrocytic)
  2. BThe bone marrow is making too many white cells
  3. CThe red cells are smaller than normal (microcytic)
  4. DThe red cells contain more hemoglobin than normal
2.Easy

Which blood marker is the most specific for injury to the heart muscle?

  1. ALactate dehydrogenase
  2. BTotal creatine kinase
  3. CSerum myoglobin
  4. DCardiac troponin
3.Easy

What is a typical reference range for serum osmolality?

  1. AAbout 50–100 mOsm/kg
  2. BAbout 135–145 mOsm/kg
  3. CAbout 400–500 mOsm/kg
  4. DAbout 275–295 mOsm/kg
4.Medium

A patient with iron-deficiency anemia started oral iron. Which result is usually the earliest sign that treatment is working?

  1. AA fall in the mean cell volume (MCV)
  2. BA rise in the platelet count
  3. CA fall in the white cell count
  4. DA rise in the reticulocyte count
5.Medium

A patient with recurrent gout starts allopurinol. Which laboratory result shows that the treatment is achieving its goal?

  1. AA rising white cell count
  2. BA falling serum potassium
  3. CA falling serum uric acid
  4. DA rising serum calcium
6.Medium

A woman with hyperemesis gravidarum has vomited for 3 days. Which urine finding would the nurse expect?

  1. ARed cell casts
  2. BNitrites
  3. CBilirubin
  4. DKetones
7.Hard

At the start of a shift, the nurse reviews four new results. Which patient needs attention first?

  1. AGlucose 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L) after a meal in a patient with diabetes
  2. BHemoglobin 11.0 g/dL (110 g/L) in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis
  3. CPotassium 5.2 mEq/L in a patient with stable chronic kidney disease
  4. DSodium 119 mEq/L in a patient with new confusion and vomiting
8.Hard

A patient has fatigue, weight gain and constipation. Results: TSH 24 mIU/L, free T4 low, total cholesterol 285 mg/dL (7.4 mmol/L), sodium 131 mEq/L. What is the best interpretation?

  1. APrimary hypothyroidism, which can raise lipids and lower sodium
  2. BHyperthyroidism, with suppressed thyroid hormone production
  3. CFamilial hypercholesterolemia, unrelated to the thyroid results
  4. DSecondary hypothyroidism from failure of the pituitary gland

Answer key

  1. 1. C · The red cells are smaller than normal (microcytic)
  2. 2. D · Cardiac troponin
  3. 3. D · About 275–295 mOsm/kg
  4. 4. D · A rise in the reticulocyte count
  5. 5. C · A falling serum uric acid
  6. 6. D · Ketones
  7. 7. D · Sodium 119 mEq/L in a patient with new confusion and vomiting
  8. 8. A · Primary hypothyroidism, which can raise lipids and lower sodium

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