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

What is a typical adult reference range for serum albumin?

  1. AAbout 0.5–1.0 g/dL (5–10 g/L)
  2. BAbout 8.5–10.5 g/dL (85–105 g/L)
  3. CAbout 12–16 g/dL (120–160 g/L)
  4. DAbout 3.5–5.0 g/dL (35–50 g/L)
2.Easy

What is the usual diagnostic cut-off for diabetes on a fasting plasma glucose test, when confirmed on a second test?

  1. A200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher
  2. B100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or higher
  3. C110 mg/dL (6.1 mmol/L) or higher
  4. D126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher
3.Easy

What does a positive direct antiglobulin test (direct Coombs test) show?

  1. AThe patient's platelets are clumping together in the blood sample
  2. BThe patient's red cells are too small and contain little hemoglobin
  3. CAntibodies or complement are attached to the patient's red cells
  4. DThe patient's plasma is missing the clotting factor VIII
4.Medium

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

  1. AConstipation and bloating
  2. BKidney damage (nephrotoxicity)
  3. CA raised platelet count (thrombocytosis)
  4. DLow blood glucose (hypoglycemia)
5.Medium

A patient on warfarin has an INR of 7.8 and a nosebleed. Which medication would the nurse expect the provider to prescribe?

  1. AVitamin K (phytonadione)
  2. BAcetylcysteine
  3. CProtamine sulfate
  4. DNaloxone hydrochloride
6.Medium

A conscious patient with a blood glucose of 54 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L) has taken 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate. When should the glucose be rechecked?

  1. AAt the next meal
  2. BAfter about 15 minutes
  3. CThe next morning
  4. DAfter about 2 hours
7.Hard

A patient with right upper abdominal pain from gallstones now has jaundice, a total bilirubin of 4.8 mg/dL (82 µmol/L) and a raised ALP. What is the most likely cause?

  1. AA stone blocking the common bile duct
  2. BGilbert syndrome triggered by pain
  3. CHemolysis caused by the gallstones
  4. DUncomplicated gallbladder inflammation
8.Hard

A patient arrives 30 minutes after vomiting a large amount of blood. The heart rate is 125/min, but the first hemoglobin is 13.0 g/dL (130 g/L). Why is the hemoglobin misleading?

  1. AThe test is never accurate in emergency situations
  2. BHemoglobin rises during bleeding, which hides the loss
  3. CWhole blood is lost, so the level falls only hours later
  4. DThe value proves there is no significant bleeding

Answer key

  1. 1. D · About 3.5–5.0 g/dL (35–50 g/L)
  2. 2. D · 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher
  3. 3. C · Antibodies or complement are attached to the patient's red cells
  4. 4. B · Kidney damage (nephrotoxicity)
  5. 5. A · Vitamin K (phytonadione)
  6. 6. B · After about 15 minutes
  7. 7. A · A stone blocking the common bile duct
  8. 8. C · Whole blood is lost, so the level falls only hours later

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