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 the white blood cell count?

  1. AAbout 150–400 × 10³/µL (150–400 × 10⁹/L)
  2. BAbout 0.5–1.0 × 10³/µL (0.5–1.0 × 10⁹/L)
  3. CAbout 25–40 × 10³/µL (25–40 × 10⁹/L)
  4. DAbout 4.5–11 × 10³/µL (4.5–11 × 10⁹/L)
2.Easy

What does a "culture and sensitivity" test of a sample show?

  1. AHow many white cells are present in the sample
  2. BWhether the patient is allergic to an antibiotic
  3. CWhich organism grows and which antibiotics work on it
  4. DThe amount of antibiotic in the patient's blood
3.Easy

Why is glucose normally absent from the urine?

  1. AGlucose is changed into ketones before it reaches the urine
  2. BThe glomeruli do not filter glucose out of the blood at any level
  3. CThe tubules reabsorb all filtered glucose at normal blood levels
  4. DThe bladder lining breaks down any glucose that reaches the urine
4.Medium

A patient takes low-dose methotrexate weekly for rheumatoid arthritis. Which laboratory tests are monitored regularly?

  1. ATroponin, creatine kinase and myoglobin
  2. BSerum amylase, lipase and blood ketones
  3. CSerum lithium, sodium and urine specific gravity
  4. DComplete blood count, liver tests and kidney function
5.Medium

A patient taking furosemide has a potassium of 3.3 mEq/L and is told to eat more potassium-rich foods. Which snack is the best choice?

  1. APlain crackers
  2. BWhite bread
  3. CDried apricots
  4. DRice cakes
6.Medium

A patient with suspected pulmonary TB needs sputum samples for acid-fast bacilli. Which instruction is correct?

  1. AGive several samples of nasal mucus blown into a tissue
  2. BGive several deep-cough samples, often first thing in the morning
  3. CGive one sample after brushing with mouthwash so it is clean
  4. DGive one sample of saliva collected from the mouth at any time of day
7.Hard

A patient with a calcium of 6.8 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) suddenly develops noisy breathing and a hoarse voice. What does this suggest?

  1. AA common cold that started this morning
  2. BLaryngospasm, an emergency needing urgent help and IV calcium
  3. CA normal response that will pass without treatment
  4. DAnxiety about the blood results, which needs calm reassurance
8.Hard

A patient with a heart murmur and fever has three sets of blood cultures, taken hours apart, all growing the same Streptococcus species. What does this suggest?

  1. APersistent bacteremia, as in infective endocarditis
  2. BA urinary tract infection that has spread to the skin
  3. CContamination of all three samples during collection
  4. DA normal finding in patients with heart murmurs

Answer key

  1. 1. D · About 4.5–11 × 10³/µL (4.5–11 × 10⁹/L)
  2. 2. C · Which organism grows and which antibiotics work on it
  3. 3. C · The tubules reabsorb all filtered glucose at normal blood levels
  4. 4. D · Complete blood count, liver tests and kidney function
  5. 5. C · Dried apricots
  6. 6. B · Give several deep-cough samples, often first thing in the morning
  7. 7. B · Laryngospasm, an emergency needing urgent help and IV calcium
  8. 8. A · Persistent bacteremia, as in infective endocarditis

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