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

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is used mainly in relation to which organ?

  1. AThyroid gland
  2. BPituitary gland
  3. CProstate gland
  4. DPancreas
2.Easy

How does active vitamin D (calcitriol) affect calcium?

  1. AIt increases calcium loss in the urine
  2. BIt increases calcium absorption from the gut
  3. CIt moves calcium out of the blood into cells
  4. DIt blocks calcium absorption from the gut
3.Easy

What is the main role of fibrinogen in the blood?

  1. AIt transports iron from the gut to the bone marrow
  2. BIt is converted to fibrin, which forms the mesh of a clot
  3. CIt carries oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues
  4. DIt breaks down clots once the bleeding has stopped
4.Medium

Which ECG change is linked to hypocalcemia?

  1. ATall, peaked T waves
  2. BA prominent delta wave
  3. CA prolonged QT interval
  4. DA shortened QT interval
5.Medium

A patient has started parenteral nutrition (PN) through a central line. Which test is monitored most frequently in the first days?

  1. ASerum lipase
  2. BBlood glucose
  3. CHemoglobin A1c
  4. DThyroid hormones
6.Medium

A patient has a platelet count of 18 × 10³/µL. Which nursing measure is appropriate?

  1. AEncourage flossing twice daily and shaving with a sharp razor blade
  2. BTake temperatures rectally every four hours for accuracy
  3. CGive the prescribed aspirin when the patient has a headache
  4. DSoft toothbrush, electric razor and no intramuscular injections
7.Hard

A stable patient's hemoglobin has been 13–14 g/dL for days. Today's result is 8.2 g/dL, but the patient feels well, the vital signs are normal and there is no bleeding. What should the nurse suspect first?

  1. AA sample taken from the wrong patient
  2. BAcute bone marrow failure overnight
  3. CA normal day-to-day variation in Hb
  4. DSudden massive internal bleeding
8.Hard

A patient with a serum albumin of 1.9 g/dL (19 g/L) has signs of phenytoin toxicity, although the total phenytoin level is in the usual range. What is the most likely explanation?

  1. ALow albumin makes the total level falsely high in all cases
  2. BLow albumin stops phenytoin from crossing into the brain
  3. CLow albumin makes the liver clear phenytoin much faster
  4. DLow albumin raises the free (active) fraction of phenytoin

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Prostate gland
  2. 2. B · It increases calcium absorption from the gut
  3. 3. B · It is converted to fibrin, which forms the mesh of a clot
  4. 4. C · A prolonged QT interval
  5. 5. B · Blood glucose
  6. 6. D · Soft toothbrush, electric razor and no intramuscular injections
  7. 7. A · A sample taken from the wrong patient
  8. 8. D · Low albumin raises the free (active) fraction of phenytoin

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