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

A urine dipstick is positive for nitrites. What does this most likely show?

  1. AGlucose spilling into the urine from high blood levels
  2. BBacteria in the urine that convert nitrate to nitrite
  3. CRed blood cells leaking from the glomeruli
  4. DKetones produced from fat breakdown in fasting
2.Easy

Which hemoglobin value in an adult woman is below the typical reference range?

  1. A9.2 g/dL (92 g/L)
  2. B13.5 g/dL (135 g/L)
  3. C14.6 g/dL (146 g/L)
  4. D12.8 g/dL (128 g/L)
3.Easy

A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) of at least which value is usually called moderately increased albuminuria?

  1. A300 mg/dL (3 mg/mL)
  2. B30 mg/g (3 mg/mmol)
  3. C3 mg/g (0.3 mg/mmol)
  4. D3,000 mg/g (300 mg/mmol)
4.Medium

In the third trimester of pregnancy, a woman's alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is about twice the usual adult range, and the other liver tests are normal. What is the best interpretation?

  1. AA sign of acute viral hepatitis
  2. BA sign of new bone cancer
  3. CA normal rise from placental ALP
  4. DA sign of blocked bile ducts
5.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. AApples
  2. BCabbage
  3. CBananas
  4. DWhite rice
6.Medium

A patient with chronic kidney disease receives an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent such as epoetin alfa. Which assessments are most important?

  1. ASerum amylase and lipase
  2. BLiver enzymes and bilirubin
  3. CSerum glucose and ketones
  4. DHemoglobin and blood pressure
7.Hard

A patient’s potassium has been 3.4–3.6 mEq/L for months, and a single result today is 5.4 mEq/L. The patient feels well and the ECG is normal. What is the best next step?

  1. AStart a potassium binder immediately without further checks
  2. BCheck how the sample was taken, assess the patient and repeat the test
  3. CIgnore the result, because the patient feels well
  4. DStop all of the patient’s regular medicines
8.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. AActive pulmonary TB, which is contagious
  2. BPast BCG vaccination only, with no infection
  3. CLatent TB infection, which is not contagious
  4. DA false result, as the test does not detect TB

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Bacteria in the urine that convert nitrate to nitrite
  2. 2. A · 9.2 g/dL (92 g/L)
  3. 3. B · 30 mg/g (3 mg/mmol)
  4. 4. C · A normal rise from placental ALP
  5. 5. C · Bananas
  6. 6. D · Hemoglobin and blood pressure
  7. 7. B · Check how the sample was taken, assess the patient and repeat the test
  8. 8. C · Latent TB infection, which is not contagious

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