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

At what time of day is serum cortisol normally highest?

  1. AEarly morning
  2. BLate afternoon
  3. CAround midnight
  4. DAfter the evening meal
2.Easy

A raised alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is most typical of:

  1. AAcute damage to the heart muscle
  2. BInflammation of the lining of the urinary bladder
  3. CLow production of hormone by the thyroid gland
  4. DBlocked bile flow or increased bone turnover
3.Easy

What is a typical adult reference range for total serum calcium?

  1. AAbout 1.3–2.1 mg/dL (0.3–0.5 mmol/L)
  2. BAbout 12–16 mg/dL (3.0–4.0 mmol/L)
  3. CAbout 8.5–10.5 mg/dL (2.1–2.6 mmol/L)
  4. DAbout 3.5–5.0 mg/dL (0.87–1.25 mmol/L)
4.Medium

A patient scheduled for surgery this morning has a potassium of 3.0 mEq/L on pre-operative tests. What should the nurse do?

  1. AReport it to the surgical team before surgery
  2. BGive an oral potassium dose without a prescription
  3. CSend the patient to surgery without comment
  4. DRepeat the test after the surgery is finished
5.Medium

A patient’s white cell count is 16 × 10³/µL with a high proportion of immature neutrophils (bands). What does this most likely indicate?

  1. AIron-deficiency anemia
  2. BA chronic viral illness only
  3. CA normal result
  4. DAn acute bacterial infection
6.Medium

A patient starts high-dose prednisone. Which laboratory change should the nurse expect?

  1. AA rise in blood glucose
  2. BA rise in serum potassium
  3. CA fall in the white cell count
  4. DA fall in serum sodium
7.Hard

A young woman with frequent self-induced vomiting has swollen salivary glands. Which laboratory pattern is most likely?

  1. ALow potassium, high bicarbonate and high amylase
  2. BHigh calcium, high phosphate and high glucose
  3. CHigh potassium, low bicarbonate and low amylase
  4. DLow sodium, low bicarbonate and high lipase
8.Hard

A patient taking isoniazid for latent TB reports nausea, loss of appetite and dark urine. The ALT is five times the upper limit of normal. What is the best action?

  1. AHold the isoniazid and report the findings to the prescriber at once
  2. BReassure the patient that dark urine is a harmless drug effect
  3. CContinue the isoniazid and give it with food to settle the stomach
  4. DDouble the dose to finish the treatment course more quickly

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Early morning
  2. 2. D · Blocked bile flow or increased bone turnover
  3. 3. C · About 8.5–10.5 mg/dL (2.1–2.6 mmol/L)
  4. 4. A · Report it to the surgical team before surgery
  5. 5. D · An acute bacterial infection
  6. 6. A · A rise in blood glucose
  7. 7. A · Low potassium, high bicarbonate and high amylase
  8. 8. A · Hold the isoniazid and report the findings to the prescriber at once

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