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

A positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test means:

  1. AThe person had hepatitis A in the past
  2. BThe person has never met the virus
  3. CThe person is immune from vaccination only
  4. DThe person currently has hepatitis B infection
2.Easy

What is a typical adult reference range for total serum bilirubin?

  1. AAbout 0.03–0.1 mg/dL (0.5–1.7 µmol/L)
  2. BAbout 3–12 mg/dL (51–205 µmol/L)
  3. CAbout 0.3–1.2 mg/dL (5–21 µmol/L)
  4. DAbout 10–20 mg/dL (171–342 µmol/L)
3.Easy

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

  1. A14.6 g/dL (146 g/L)
  2. B12.8 g/dL (128 g/L)
  3. C9.2 g/dL (92 g/L)
  4. D13.5 g/dL (135 g/L)
4.Medium

In chronic kidney disease, a high serum phosphate is usually accompanied by which change in calcium?

  1. ANo change in calcium
  2. BA high serum calcium
  3. CA low serum calcium
  4. DA high serum potassium only, with no calcium change
5.Medium

When should a blood sample for a digoxin level be drawn to be interpreted correctly?

  1. AAt least 6–8 hours after a dose, often just before the next one
  2. BAt any time, because digoxin levels do not change during the day
  3. CWithin 30 minutes after an oral dose to show the peak level
  4. DOnly after a meal, because food is needed for absorption
6.Medium

The laboratory phones the ward with a critical potassium result of 6.9 mEq/L. What should the nurse do?

  1. AAsk the laboratory to repeat the test before telling anyone
  2. BRead back the value, assess the patient and inform the provider
  3. CRecord the value and hand it over to the next shift
  4. DWait for the written report to arrive before taking any action at all
7.Hard

A patient with heavy alcohol use and a poor diet has a hemoglobin of 10.1 g/dL (101 g/L), an MCV of 110 fL and a low red cell folate. Which explanation fits best?

  1. AFolate deficiency, made worse by a direct alcohol effect
  2. BIron deficiency from slow, chronic bleeding in the gut
  3. CAnemia caused by long-standing chronic kidney disease
  4. DThalassemia trait inherited from one of the parents
8.Hard

A patient has a positive hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) test. What is the most appropriate next step?

  1. ATest for HCV RNA to find out whether infection is current
  2. BGive hepatitis C vaccine to prevent further infection
  3. CTell the patient they definitely have chronic hepatitis C
  4. DRepeat the antibody test, as a positive test is always false

Answer key

  1. 1. D · The person currently has hepatitis B infection
  2. 2. C · About 0.3–1.2 mg/dL (5–21 µmol/L)
  3. 3. C · 9.2 g/dL (92 g/L)
  4. 4. C · A low serum calcium
  5. 5. A · At least 6–8 hours after a dose, often just before the next one
  6. 6. B · Read back the value, assess the patient and inform the provider
  7. 7. A · Folate deficiency, made worse by a direct alcohol effect
  8. 8. A · Test for HCV RNA to find out whether infection is current

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