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

Uric acid in the blood is a breakdown product of:

  1. AFats
  2. BGlucose
  3. CPurines
  4. DHemoglobin
2.Easy

What does the term pancytopenia mean?

  1. ALow red cells with normal platelets
  2. BHigh white cells with low platelets
  3. CHigh red cells, white cells and platelets
  4. DLow red cells, white cells and platelets
3.Easy

Below about which blood glucose level is hypoglycemia usually defined and treated in a person with diabetes?

  1. A40 mg/dL (2.2 mmol/L)
  2. B126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L)
  3. C70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L)
  4. D100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L)
4.Medium

A patient is on an IV insulin infusion protocol in the ICU. How often is the blood glucose usually checked?

  1. AOnce every 12 hours
  2. BOnly if symptoms occur
  3. CAbout every hour
  4. DOnce a day before breakfast
5.Medium

Why must vitamin B12 deficiency be ruled out before treating macrocytic anemia with folic acid alone?

  1. AFolic acid causes iron overload when B12 levels are low
  2. BFolic acid blocks the absorption of all B12 from the diet
  3. CFolic acid can fix the anemia while B12-related nerve damage continues
  4. DFolic acid makes B12 deficiency anemia much worse within a few days
6.Medium

When should blood cultures be taken for a patient with suspected sepsis?

  1. ABefore the first antibiotic dose, without delaying it much
  2. BAt any time, since antibiotics do not affect the result
  3. CAfter the first three doses of antibiotics
  4. DOnly if the fever lasts more than three days
7.Hard

A patient taking apixaban asks why they do not need regular INR tests like their neighbor on warfarin. What is the best explanation?

  1. AThe INR is checked secretly together with the other routine blood tests
  2. BApixaban is monitored with an aPTT every day instead
  3. CApixaban does not actually thin the blood
  4. DIts effect is predictable, so routine clotting tests are not needed
8.Hard

Two days after bowel surgery, a patient with nasogastric suction has a distended abdomen, absent bowel sounds and muscle weakness. The potassium is 2.8 mEq/L. Which interpretation is best?

  1. AHypokalemia from gastric losses is contributing to paralytic ileus
  2. BThe low potassium is due to the patient drinking too much water
  3. CHyperkalemia from tissue damage is causing the bowel to stop
  4. DThe potassium is normal for the second day after surgery

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Purines
  2. 2. D · Low red cells, white cells and platelets
  3. 3. C · 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L)
  4. 4. C · About every hour
  5. 5. C · Folic acid can fix the anemia while B12-related nerve damage continues
  6. 6. A · Before the first antibiotic dose, without delaying it much
  7. 7. D · Its effect is predictable, so routine clotting tests are not needed
  8. 8. A · Hypokalemia from gastric losses is contributing to paralytic ileus

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