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.

New worksheetPractise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

A serum sodium of 151 mEq/L is called:

  1. AHypernatremia
  2. BHypercalcemia
  3. CHyponatremia
  4. DHyperkalemia
2.Easy

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

  1. AInflammation somewhere in the body, without showing where
  2. BA specific infection of the urinary tract by bacteria
  3. CA low level of iron stored in the bone marrow
  4. DDamage to heart muscle within the past few hours
3.Easy

What does a raised C-reactive protein (CRP) mainly indicate?

  1. AA heart attack in particular
  2. BKidney failure in particular
  3. CInflammation in the body
  4. DDehydration and fluid loss
4.Medium

How often is the INR usually checked when warfarin is first started?

  1. AEvery few days, until it is stable
  2. BOnce a year, at a routine visit
  3. COnly if bleeding occurs at home
  4. DEvery hour, during the first week
5.Medium

A vancomycin trough level is above the target range. Which adverse effect is the main concern?

  1. AA raised platelet count (thrombocytosis)
  2. BLow blood glucose (hypoglycemia)
  3. CKidney damage (nephrotoxicity)
  4. DConstipation and bloating
6.Medium

A patient had a total thyroidectomy yesterday. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor in the first days after surgery?

  1. ASerum glucose
  2. BSerum sodium
  3. CSerum potassium
  4. DSerum calcium
7.Hard

A nursing student has a positive interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) for tuberculosis, no symptoms and a normal chest X-ray. What does this most likely mean?

  1. APast BCG vaccination only, with no infection
  2. BA false result, as the test does not detect TB
  3. CLatent TB infection, which is not contagious
  4. DActive pulmonary TB, which is contagious
8.Hard

A patient with acute kidney injury after severe dehydration has a rising creatinine. Which urine findings support a prerenal cause rather than acute tubular necrosis (ATN)?

  1. ARed cell casts with heavy protein loss in the urine
  2. BWhite cell casts with positive nitrites on the dipstick
  3. CLow urine sodium and concentrated urine with a high specific gravity
  4. DHigh urine sodium and dilute urine with muddy brown granular casts

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Hypernatremia
  2. 2. A · Inflammation somewhere in the body, without showing where
  3. 3. C · Inflammation in the body
  4. 4. A · Every few days, until it is stable
  5. 5. C · Kidney damage (nephrotoxicity)
  6. 6. D · Serum calcium
  7. 7. C · Latent TB infection, which is not contagious
  8. 8. C · Low urine sodium and concentrated urine with a high specific gravity

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.