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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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

In the US (NCEP ATP III) classification, which LDL cholesterol level is called optimal for an adult?

  1. AAbout 220–260 mg/dL (5.7–6.7 mmol/L)
  2. BAbout 160–189 mg/dL (4.1–4.9 mmol/L)
  3. CBelow 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L)
  4. DAbout 190 mg/dL (4.9 mmol/L) or more
2.Easy

Using American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria, a fasting plasma glucose of 100–125 mg/dL (5.6–6.9 mmol/L) is classed as:

  1. ANormal fasting glucose for an adult
  2. BMild hypoglycemia (low glucose)
  3. CType 1 diabetes mellitus
  4. DPrediabetes (impaired fasting glucose)
3.Easy

What is a typical reference range for urine specific gravity in an adult?

  1. AAbout 1.040–1.060
  2. BAbout 1.005–1.030
  3. CAbout 0.900–0.990
  4. DAbout 1.100–1.300
4.Medium

A patient starts lisinopril (an ACE inhibitor). Which laboratory values should the nurse expect to be monitored?

  1. AALT and bilirubin
  2. BTSH and free T4
  3. CPotassium and creatinine
  4. DCalcium and phosphate
5.Medium

A patient on hemodialysis has an arteriovenous (AV) fistula in the left arm. Where should the nurse draw routine blood samples?

  1. AFrom the right arm
  2. BFrom the left wrist
  3. CFrom the left hand
  4. DFrom the fistula
6.Medium

A patient with chronic kidney disease has a potassium of 5.6 mEq/L. Which food should the nurse advise the patient to limit?

  1. ACabbage
  2. BApples
  3. CWhite rice
  4. DBananas
7.Hard

A patient with a serum albumin of 1.9 g/dL (19 g/L) has signs of phenytoin toxicity, although the total phenytoin level is in the usual range. What is the most likely explanation?

  1. ALow albumin makes the liver clear phenytoin much faster
  2. BLow albumin makes the total level falsely high in all cases
  3. CLow albumin stops phenytoin from crossing into the brain
  4. DLow albumin raises the free (active) fraction of phenytoin
8.Hard

An RN cares for a patient on a 24-hour urine collection. Which task can be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), such as a nursing or healthcare assistant?

  1. AInterpreting the creatinine clearance result when it comes back
  2. BSaving all urine in the collection container as instructed
  3. CTeaching the patient why the 24-hour collection is needed
  4. DDeciding whether to restart the collection after a missed sample

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Below 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L)
  2. 2. D · Prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose)
  3. 3. B · About 1.005–1.030
  4. 4. C · Potassium and creatinine
  5. 5. A · From the right arm
  6. 6. D · Bananas
  7. 7. D · Low albumin raises the free (active) fraction of phenytoin
  8. 8. B · Saving all urine in the collection container as instructed

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