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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1.Easy

What is a typical reference range for the hematocrit in an adult woman?

  1. AAbout 10–15%
  2. BAbout 20–28%
  3. CAbout 35–45%
  4. DAbout 55–65%
2.Easy

A raised eosinophil count is most typical of:

  1. AAllergic conditions and parasitic infections
  2. BAcute blood loss after trauma
  3. CAcute bacterial pneumonia and sepsis
  4. DViral infections such as glandular fever
3.Easy

What does a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) show?

  1. AA low level of iron stored in the bone marrow
  2. BDamage to heart muscle within the past few hours
  3. CInflammation somewhere in the body, without showing where
  4. DA specific infection of the urinary tract by bacteria
4.Medium

A patient with pneumonia had a CRP of 180 mg/L on admission and 40 mg/L after 4 days of antibiotics. What does this most likely show?

  1. AThe inflammation is settling with treatment
  2. BThe patient has developed a new infection
  3. CThe antibiotic is causing liver damage
  4. DThe infection has spread to another organ
5.Medium

In chronic kidney disease, a high serum phosphate is usually accompanied by which change in calcium?

  1. ANo change in calcium
  2. BA high serum calcium
  3. CA high serum potassium only, with no calcium change
  4. DA low serum calcium
6.Medium

A patient has a sodium of 124 mEq/L, a headache and new confusion. Which nursing measure is most appropriate?

  1. AEncourage the patient to drink plenty of plain water
  2. BKeep the patient flat and limit neurological checks to once a shift
  3. CPut seizure precautions in place and monitor neurological status
  4. DGive the next dose of the prescribed thiazide diuretic early
7.Hard

A healthy woman at 10 weeks of pregnancy has a slightly low TSH with a normal free T4 and no symptoms. What is the most likely explanation?

  1. AhCG stimulates the thyroid in early pregnancy
  2. BThe result shows severe primary hypothyroidism
  3. CShe has developed Graves disease in pregnancy
  4. DShe has pituitary failure from the pregnancy
8.Hard

A patient's potassium is 7.2 mEq/L, and the monitor shows wide QRS complexes. Several treatments are prescribed. Which should be given first?

  1. AIV calcium gluconate (or chloride)
  2. BAn oral potassium binder dose
  3. CUrgent hemodialysis session
  4. DIV furosemide (a loop diuretic)

Answer key

  1. 1. C · About 35–45%
  2. 2. A · Allergic conditions and parasitic infections
  3. 3. C · Inflammation somewhere in the body, without showing where
  4. 4. A · The inflammation is settling with treatment
  5. 5. D · A low serum calcium
  6. 6. C · Put seizure precautions in place and monitor neurological status
  7. 7. A · hCG stimulates the thyroid in early pregnancy
  8. 8. A · IV calcium gluconate (or chloride)

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