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

Why is prealbumin (transthyretin) sometimes used to follow a patient's nutritional status instead of albumin?

  1. AIt is measured in urine, so no blood test is needed
  2. BIt has a long half-life, so it changes over months
  3. CIt has a short half-life, so it changes within days
  4. DIt is not affected by inflammation or liver disease
2.Easy

Which blood test is usually the first test used to screen thyroid function?

  1. ASerum calcium
  2. BThyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
  3. CSerum cortisol
  4. DHemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
3.Easy

What is the commonly cited therapeutic range for serum digoxin?

  1. AAbout 0.05–0.2 ng/mL
  2. BAbout 10–20 ng/mL
  3. CAbout 20–40 ng/mL
  4. DAbout 0.5–2.0 ng/mL
4.Medium

Why must a blue-top (citrate) coagulation tube be filled to the correct level?

  1. AUnderfilled tubes always give a falsely low hemoglobin and hematocrit
  2. BThe blood-to-anticoagulant ratio must be right for accurate clotting times
  3. CThe laboratory charges extra when a tube is not filled correctly
  4. DAn overfull tube is needed to measure the potassium level
5.Medium

Which change in clotting tests is normal in late pregnancy?

  1. AaPTT doubles from baseline
  2. BPlatelets rise above 600 × 10³/µL
  3. CFibrinogen and D-dimer rise
  4. DINR rises to about 3.0
6.Medium

A patient receives repeated nebulized albuterol (salbutamol) for severe asthma. Which laboratory change should the nurse watch for?

  1. AA fall in serum potassium
  2. BA rise in serum sodium
  3. CA rise in serum calcium
  4. DA fall in blood glucose
7.Hard

A patient with suspected Cushing syndrome takes dexamethasone at night. The next morning, the cortisol is still high. What does this suggest?

  1. ACortisol is being produced without normal feedback control
  2. BThe adrenal glands are not able to produce enough cortisol
  3. CThe result is normal, as dexamethasone raises cortisol
  4. DThe patient has primary hypothyroidism instead
8.Hard

A patient on clozapine for 2 years has been stable. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?

  1. A"I'll keep all my scheduled blood test visits"
  2. B"I'll report a sore throat or fever at once"
  3. C"I'll tell other doctors that I take clozapine"
  4. D"I can stop my blood tests since I feel well"

Answer key

  1. 1. C · It has a short half-life, so it changes within days
  2. 2. B · Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
  3. 3. D · About 0.5–2.0 ng/mL
  4. 4. B · The blood-to-anticoagulant ratio must be right for accurate clotting times
  5. 5. C · Fibrinogen and D-dimer rise
  6. 6. A · A fall in serum potassium
  7. 7. A · Cortisol is being produced without normal feedback control
  8. 8. D · "I can stop my blood tests since I feel well"

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