Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

Which laboratory test is most typically raised in acute pancreatitis?

1. ASerum troponin
2. BSerum albumin
3. CHemoglobin A1c
4. DSerum lipase

Thrombocytopenia is usually defined as a platelet count below:

1. A150 × 10³/µL (150 × 10⁹/L)
2. B1,000 × 10³/µL (1,000 × 10⁹/L)
3. C15 × 10³/µL (15 × 10⁹/L)
4. D450 × 10³/µL (450 × 10⁹/L)

A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) of at least which value is usually called moderately increased albuminuria?

1. A30 mg/g (3 mg/mmol)
2. B300 mg/dL (3 mg/mL)
3. C3,000 mg/g (300 mg/mmol)
4. D3 mg/g (0.3 mg/mmol)

When should a patient with chronic kidney disease take a phosphate binder such as calcium acetate or sevelamer?

1. AOnly when the patient feels unwell
2. BOnly once a week
3. CWith meals
4. DAt bedtime on an empty stomach

A patient with an upper gastrointestinal bleed has a BUN of 48 mg/dL (urea 17 mmol/L) and a normal creatinine. What is the most likely explanation?

1. AThe kidneys have suddenly lost most of their function
2. BThe liver has stopped making urea because of the bleeding
3. CSkeletal muscle is breaking down because of the blood loss
4. DDigested blood adds protein, which the liver turns into urea

A patient's potassium is unexpectedly 5.8 mEq/L. The sample was taken after the tourniquet was on for several minutes while the patient pumped their fist. What is the best interpretation?

1. AFist pumping lowers potassium, so the true level is even higher
2. BTourniquet time affects only the glucose result, not the potassium
3. CThe result may be falsely high and should be repeated with better technique
4. DThe result confirms true hyperkalemia and needs no further checking

A patient on digoxin has a level of 1.2 ng/mL, a potassium of 2.8 mEq/L and new frequent ventricular ectopic beats. What is the best interpretation?

1. AToxicity is possible, because low potassium increases digoxin’s effect
2. BDigoxin cannot be the cause, because the level is within the usual range
3. CPotassium has no effect on the heart rhythm
4. DThe patient needs a higher digoxin dose to control the rhythm

A 68-year-old man has fatigue, a hemoglobin of 9.8 g/dL (98 g/L), an MCV of 72 fL and a low ferritin. He eats a normal diet. What is the most important next step?

1. AGive iron and do no further tests at all
2. BLook for a source of blood loss in the gut
3. CStart vitamin B₁₂ injections
4. DRepeat the blood count in one year