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 does a positive blood or urine ketone test mainly indicate?

  1. AThe body is breaking down fat for fuel, as in insulin deficiency or starvation
  2. BThe patient has a urinary tract infection
  3. CThe liver is producing too much bilirubin
  4. DThe kidneys are leaking protein into the urine
2.Easy

What is a main role of albumin in the blood?

  1. AIt forms the mesh that holds a blood clot together
  2. BIt holds fluid in the vessels by oncotic pressure
  3. CIt fights bacteria by engulfing them in the blood
  4. DIt carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues
3.Easy

Where are urinary casts formed?

  1. AIn the kidney tubules
  2. BIn the ureters
  3. CIn the urinary bladder
  4. DIn the urethra
4.Medium

A patient has a hematocrit of 54%, a high BUN and a urine specific gravity of 1.034. What does this pattern suggest?

  1. AFluid overload
  2. BKidney failure with dilute urine
  3. CAcute blood loss with dilution
  4. DDehydration with hemoconcentration
5.Medium

A patient takes high-dose furosemide. Besides potassium, which electrolyte is most commonly lowered?

  1. AMagnesium
  2. BPhosphate
  3. CSodium bicarbonate
  4. DUric acid
6.Medium

A patient with a potassium of 2.8 mEq/L has potassium chloride prescribed IV. Which statement about giving it is correct?

  1. AIt is given as an undiluted bolus into a large vein to avoid irritation
  2. BIt may be given as a slow IV push over one minute if the level is very low
  3. CIt is always diluted and given by infusion pump, never as an IV push
  4. DIt is added to the IV bag without mixing, so it stays at the bottom
7.Hard

A patient without diabetes in the ICU with sepsis has a glucose of 260 mg/dL (14.4 mmol/L) and an HbA1c of 5.2%. What is the best interpretation?

  1. ALong-standing undiagnosed type 2 diabetes
  2. BStress hyperglycemia from acute illness
  3. CA meter error, because HbA1c is normal
  4. DType 1 diabetes from autoimmune damage
8.Hard

A patient’s vancomycin trough is 28 mcg/mL; the target set by the prescriber is 15–20 mcg/mL. The next dose is due now. What is the best action?

  1. AGive a double dose to finish the course faster
  2. BGive the dose as scheduled and recheck the trough level in a week
  3. CHold the dose, inform the prescriber and check kidney function
  4. DGive the dose over a shorter time to reduce exposure

Answer key

  1. 1. A · The body is breaking down fat for fuel, as in insulin deficiency or starvation
  2. 2. B · It holds fluid in the vessels by oncotic pressure
  3. 3. A · In the kidney tubules
  4. 4. D · Dehydration with hemoconcentration
  5. 5. A · Magnesium
  6. 6. C · It is always diluted and given by infusion pump, never as an IV push
  7. 7. B · Stress hyperglycemia from acute illness
  8. 8. C · Hold the dose, inform the prescriber and check kidney function

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