Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

At what time of day is serum cortisol normally highest?

1. AAround midnight
2. BAfter the evening meal
3. CEarly morning
4. DLate afternoon

What is a "critical value" (panic value) in laboratory reporting?

1. AAny result that is slightly outside the laboratory reference range
2. BA result that the laboratory could not measure because of a bad sample
3. CA result that is normal but differs from the patient's last value
4. DA result so abnormal that it may threaten life and needs prompt action

Which urine test is used to screen people with diabetes for early kidney damage?

1. AA urine culture for bacteria
2. BUrine specific gravity
3. CA urine pregnancy test
4. DThe urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR)

A patient receiving chemotherapy has an ANC of 300/µL and a new temperature of 38.3 °C (100.9 °F). What should the nurse do first?

1. AReport it at once so cultures and antibiotics start quickly
2. BRemove extra blankets and offer a tepid sponge bath
3. CGive acetaminophen (paracetamol) and recheck the temperature in 4 hours
4. DEncourage oral fluids and record the fever in the chart

When should the nurse check the glucose before giving a mealtime dose of rapid-acting insulin (such as lispro)?

1. AOnly once a day, then giving the same dose before every meal
2. BTwo hours after the meal, then giving the insulin dose
3. CJust before the meal, giving insulin when the food is ready
4. DAt bedtime only, then giving the mealtime insulin overnight

Two sets of blood cultures are ordered for a patient with suspected sepsis. How are they best collected?

1. AAfter the first antibiotic dose, so the infusion is not delayed
2. BFrom two separate venipuncture sites, using strict aseptic technique
3. CBoth from the same site, one minute apart, to save time for the patient
4. DFrom the existing IV line while the infusion continues to run

A patient's total calcium is 7.6 mg/dL and the albumin is 2.0 g/dL. Using the common correction (add 0.8 mg/dL for each 1 g/dL that albumin is below 4.0), what is the corrected calcium?

1. A6.0 mg/dL, well below the normal range
2. B9.2 mg/dL, within the normal range
3. C11.6 mg/dL, above the normal range
4. D7.6 mg/dL, below the normal range

A patient has taken metformin for 8 years and now has numbness in the feet, a hemoglobin of 10.2 g/dL (102 g/L) and an MCV of 108 fL. Which deficiency is most likely?

1. AVitamin K deficiency
2. BVitamin D (calciferol) deficiency
3. CVitamin B₁₂ deficiency
4. DIron deficiency from gut loss