Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

A patient who has not eaten for 2 days has ketones in the urine. What is the most likely reason?

1. AThe bladder has a bacterial infection
2. BThe liver is making too much glucose
3. CThe body is burning fat for energy
4. DThe kidneys are leaking protein

Which blood test is usually the first test used to screen thyroid function?

1. ASerum cortisol
2. BThyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
3. CSerum calcium
4. DHemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

An eGFR below which value indicates stage 5 chronic kidney disease (kidney failure)?

1. A45 mL/min/1.73 m²
2. B60 mL/min/1.73 m²
3. C15 mL/min/1.73 m²
4. D90 mL/min/1.73 m²

Which change in clotting tests is normal in late pregnancy?

1. AINR rises to about 3.0
2. BaPTT doubles from baseline
3. CFibrinogen and D-dimer rise
4. DPlatelets rise above 600 × 10³/µL

A patient has taken a proton pump inhibitor (such as omeprazole) for many years and now has muscle cramps and tremor. Which electrolyte is most likely to be low?

1. AChloride
2. BMagnesium
3. CSodium
4. DPhosphate

A patient on digoxin has a level of 2.8 ng/mL and a heart rate of 52/min. What is the nurse’s best action?

1. AGive the dose and recheck the level in a month
2. BGive the dose, as the heart rate is above 50/min
3. CGive a double dose to correct the rhythm
4. DHold the dose and inform the prescriber

A trauma patient receives many units of blood quickly and then develops muscle twitching and low blood pressure. Which laboratory value is most likely to explain this?

1. AA high serum sodium
2. BA low serum glucose
3. CA low ionized calcium
4. DA high serum magnesium

Four drug levels are reported. Which patient should the nurse assess first?

1. APhenytoin 15 mcg/mL with no symptoms
2. BDigoxin 1.0 ng/mL with a pulse of 72/min
3. CValproate 75 mcg/mL with no symptoms
4. DLithium 1.8 mEq/L with a new coarse tremor