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

Which blood test is the usual measure of a person's vitamin D status?

  1. ASerum phosphate
  2. B25-hydroxyvitamin D
  3. C1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D
  4. DParathyroid hormone
2.Easy

Which is the main cation in the fluid inside the cells?

  1. AChloride
  2. BCalcium
  3. CSodium
  4. DPotassium
3.Easy

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

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

A patient taking phenazopyridine for bladder pain has bright orange urine. What should the nurse know about urine tests?

  1. AThe color shows severe liver failure is present
  2. BThe drug improves the accuracy of all dipsticks
  3. CThe dye can interfere with dipstick color readings
  4. DThe color proves blood is present in the urine
5.Medium

A patient has had severe watery diarrhea for 4 days. Which laboratory pattern would the nurse expect?

  1. ALow potassium and low bicarbonate
  2. BLow glucose and high magnesium
  3. CHigh potassium and high bicarbonate
  4. DHigh sodium and high calcium
6.Medium

When do the blood counts usually reach their lowest point (nadir) after many standard chemotherapy regimens?

  1. AOn the same day as treatment
  2. BWithin 1–2 hours of treatment
  3. CAbout 6 months after treatment
  4. DAbout 7–14 days after treatment
7.Hard

A patient with severe hypertriglyceridemia has a measured sodium of 128 mEq/L, but a measured serum osmolality is normal, and the patient has no symptoms. What is the most likely explanation?

  1. AHyponatremia caused by severe hyperglycemia in diabetes
  2. BHyponatremia caused by drinking far too much water
  3. CTrue hyponatremia from SIADH that needs fluid restriction
  4. DPseudohyponatremia, an artifact caused by very high lipids
8.Hard

A patient with advanced chronic kidney disease has a mildly raised troponin that has stayed the same on several tests over months. There is no chest pain and the ECG is unchanged. What is the best interpretation?

  1. AProof of an acute myocardial infarction that needs emergency treatment now
  2. BA laboratory error, because troponin is never raised in kidney disease
  3. CA chronic stable rise; infarction needs a rising or falling pattern
  4. DA sign of skeletal muscle injury, because troponin comes from all muscles

Answer key

  1. 1. B · 25-hydroxyvitamin D
  2. 2. D · Potassium
  3. 3. A · Which organism grows and which antibiotics work on it
  4. 4. C · The dye can interfere with dipstick color readings
  5. 5. A · Low potassium and low bicarbonate
  6. 6. D · About 7–14 days after treatment
  7. 7. D · Pseudohyponatremia, an artifact caused by very high lipids
  8. 8. C · A chronic stable rise; infarction needs a rising or falling pattern

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