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

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. CDamage to heart muscle within the past few hours
  4. DA low level of iron stored in the bone marrow
2.Easy

A low mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) means that the red cells are:

  1. AMore numerous than normal
  2. BPaler than normal (hypochromic)
  3. CShaped like a sickle
  4. DLarger than normal (macrocytic)
3.Easy

Which liver test is especially sensitive to heavy alcohol use?

  1. ACardiac troponin I or T
  2. BSerum creatinine and BUN
  3. CGamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
  4. DSerum lipase (pancreatic enzyme)
4.Medium

A patient’s white cell count is 16 × 10³/µL with a high proportion of immature neutrophils (bands). What does this most likely indicate?

  1. AA normal result
  2. BAn acute bacterial infection
  3. CA chronic viral illness only
  4. DIron-deficiency anemia
5.Medium

A urine culture is ordered for a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter. How should the nurse collect the sample?

  1. APour urine from the drainage bag into a sterile cup
  2. BDisconnect the catheter from the tubing and let it drain
  3. CAspirate from the sampling port with a sterile syringe
  4. DRemove the catheter and culture the catheter tip
6.Medium

A patient is scheduled for a liver biopsy. Which laboratory results should the nurse check before the procedure?

  1. ATSH and free T4
  2. BSerum sodium and chloride
  3. CHbA1c and lipid panel
  4. DPlatelet count and PT/INR
7.Hard

Which pattern of results fits SIADH?

  1. ALow serum sodium, low serum osmolality and concentrated urine
  2. BNormal sodium with very dilute urine
  3. CHigh serum sodium, high serum osmolality and very dilute urine
  4. DLow serum sodium, high serum osmolality and dilute urine
8.Hard

A patient with a round face, central weight gain and purple stretch marks has a glucose of 210 mg/dL (11.7 mmol/L) and a potassium of 3.1 mEq/L. Which condition fits best?

  1. AAdrenal insufficiency
  2. BHypothyroidism
  3. CCushing syndrome
  4. DDiabetes insipidus

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Inflammation somewhere in the body, without showing where
  2. 2. B · Paler than normal (hypochromic)
  3. 3. C · Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
  4. 4. B · An acute bacterial infection
  5. 5. C · Aspirate from the sampling port with a sterile syringe
  6. 6. D · Platelet count and PT/INR
  7. 7. A · Low serum sodium, low serum osmolality and concentrated urine
  8. 8. C · Cushing syndrome

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