Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

What does a drug’s “peak” level measure?

1. AThe lowest blood concentration before the next dose
2. BThe average level over a week
3. CThe level at which the drug becomes toxic
4. DThe highest blood concentration after a dose

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

1. AFat breakdown in adipose tissue; removed by the lungs
2. BGlucose breakdown in muscle; removed by the pancreas
3. CRed cell breakdown in the spleen; removed by the skin
4. DProtein breakdown by gut bacteria; removed by the liver

What does normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) look like?

1. ACloudy and yellow
2. BPink and bloody
3. CThick and green
4. DClear and colorless

A patient's potassium is 7.0 mEq/L. Which ECG change would the nurse expect?

1. AFlattened T waves
2. BDelta waves before the QRS
3. CProminent U waves
4. DTall, peaked T waves

A patient on hemodialysis has an arteriovenous (AV) fistula in the left arm. Where should the nurse draw routine blood samples?

1. AFrom the left wrist
2. BFrom the fistula
3. CFrom the right arm
4. DFrom the left hand

A patient takes high-dose furosemide. Besides potassium, which electrolyte is most commonly lowered?

1. AUric acid
2. BMagnesium
3. CPhosphate
4. DSodium bicarbonate

A patient with jaundice and nausea has a positive IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus (IgM anti-HAV). What does this show?

1. AChronic hepatitis A lasting many years
2. BA current or recent hepatitis A infection
3. CPast hepatitis B infection that has cleared
4. DImmunity from hepatitis A vaccine long ago

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

1. AMagnesium
2. BChloride
3. CBicarbonate
4. DSodium