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

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

  1. AProtein breakdown by gut bacteria; removed by the liver
  2. BRed cell breakdown in the spleen; removed by the skin
  3. CGlucose breakdown in muscle; removed by the pancreas
  4. DFat breakdown in adipose tissue; removed by the lungs
2.Easy

Which type of white blood cell is normally the most numerous in an adult's blood?

  1. AEosinophils
  2. BLymphocytes
  3. CMonocytes
  4. DNeutrophils
3.Easy

A raised eosinophil count is most typical of:

  1. AViral infections such as glandular fever
  2. BAllergic conditions and parasitic infections
  3. CAcute blood loss after trauma
  4. DAcute bacterial pneumonia and sepsis
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. AReport it to the surgical team before surgery
  2. BGive an oral potassium dose without a prescription
  3. CRepeat the test after the surgery is finished
  4. DSend the patient to surgery without comment
5.Medium

A patient has a platelet count of 18 × 10³/µL. Which nursing measure is appropriate?

  1. ASoft toothbrush, electric razor and no intramuscular injections
  2. BEncourage flossing twice daily and shaving with a sharp razor blade
  3. CGive the prescribed aspirin when the patient has a headache
  4. DTake temperatures rectally every four hours for accuracy
6.Medium

A patient with hyponatremia from SIADH starts tolvaptan. Why is the serum sodium checked frequently in the first day?

  1. AThe sodium always falls further
  2. BThe drug lowers blood glucose sharply
  3. CThe sodium can rise too quickly
  4. DThe drug causes severe hyperkalemia
7.Hard

Why can a normal creatinine be misleading in a frail older adult with low muscle mass?

  1. ALess muscle makes less creatinine, hiding reduced kidney function
  2. BCreatinine levels do not depend on muscle mass at all
  3. COlder adults always have a higher creatinine than younger adults do
  4. DA normal creatinine always proves normal kidney function
8.Hard

A patient has painless jaundice, itching, dark urine and pale stools. ALP is markedly raised, conjugated (direct) bilirubin is high and ALT is only mildly raised. What is the most likely cause?

  1. AGilbert syndrome, a harmless inherited bilirubin disorder
  2. BAcute viral hepatitis with widespread liver cell damage
  3. CBlockage of bile flow, for example by a tumor in the bile duct
  4. DIncreased breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia)

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Protein breakdown by gut bacteria; removed by the liver
  2. 2. D · Neutrophils
  3. 3. B · Allergic conditions and parasitic infections
  4. 4. A · Report it to the surgical team before surgery
  5. 5. A · Soft toothbrush, electric razor and no intramuscular injections
  6. 6. C · The sodium can rise too quickly
  7. 7. A · Less muscle makes less creatinine, hiding reduced kidney function
  8. 8. C · Blockage of bile flow, for example by a tumor in the bile duct

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