Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

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)

The serum total protein is made up mainly of:

1. AAlbumin and globulins
2. BGlucose and urea
3. CHemoglobin and iron
4. DSodium and chloride

Why is serum creatinine a better marker of kidney function than BUN?

1. AIt is not filtered by the kidneys, so its level stays very stable
2. BIt is affected mainly by protein intake, which is easy to control
3. CIt is made by the liver, so it rises in every kind of illness
4. DIt is less affected by diet, hydration and bleeding in the gut

Which instruction is correct for a patient starting oral iron tablets?

1. AYour urine will turn bright orange while you take it
2. BYour stools may turn dark green or black
3. CTake the tablet with an antacid to improve absorption
4. DTake each tablet with milk to protect the stomach

A patient with chronic kidney disease has a magnesium of 3.8 mEq/L (1.9 mmol/L). Which product is the most likely cause?

1. ALoop diuretics such as furosemide
2. BProton pump inhibitors taken long term
3. CExcess alcohol use over many years
4. DMagnesium-containing laxatives or antacids

A patient with suspected pulmonary TB needs sputum samples for acid-fast bacilli. Which instruction is correct?

1. AGive one sample after brushing with mouthwash so it is clean
2. BGive one sample of saliva collected from the mouth at any time of day
3. CGive several deep-cough samples, often first thing in the morning
4. DGive several samples of nasal mucus blown into a tissue

Ten days after chemotherapy, a patient has a platelet count of 9 × 10³/µL and reports a sudden severe headache and blurred vision. What is the priority?

1. ADim the lights and encourage rest, as headaches are common after chemotherapy
2. BAssess neurological status and report it at once as possible brain bleeding
3. CEncourage the patient to drink more fluids and check the blood pressure later
4. DGive acetaminophen (paracetamol) for the headache and reassess in 1 hour

An aPTT result is extremely high, but the nurse learns that the sample was taken from the arm where the heparin infusion runs. What is the best action?

1. AStop the heparin infusion permanently and inform the provider
2. BAccept the result and halve the infusion rate
3. CGive protamine at once to reverse the heparin
4. DRequest a new sample from the opposite arm before the dose is adjusted