Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

A raised neutrophil count (neutrophilia) is most typical of:

1. AVitamin B₁₂ deficiency
2. BHay fever and asthma
3. CAcute bacterial infection
4. DA mild viral cold

Why is prealbumin (transthyretin) sometimes used to follow a patient's nutritional status instead of albumin?

1. AIt has a short half-life, so it changes within days
2. BIt is not affected by inflammation or liver disease
3. CIt is measured in urine, so no blood test is needed
4. DIt has a long half-life, so it changes over months

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

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

A patient with type 2 diabetes has a target HbA1c below 7% (53 mmol/mol). Today's result is 7.8% (62 mmol/mol). What is the best interpretation?

1. AThe patient has had frequent episodes of severe hypoglycemia
2. BAverage glucose over the past months has been above the target
3. CThe result shows today's fasting glucose is above the target
4. DGlucose control has been excellent for the past several months

A young adult with new diabetes has a very low C-peptide level. What does this suggest?

1. AThe patient has high insulin resistance, as in type 2 diabetes
2. BThe kidneys are excreting all of the patient's insulin in urine
3. CThe patient is injecting too much insulin and needs a lower dose
4. DThe pancreas is making very little insulin, as in type 1 diabetes

A patient with iron-deficiency anemia started oral iron. Which result is usually the earliest sign that treatment is working?

1. AA rise in the platelet count
2. BA fall in the white cell count
3. CA fall in the mean cell volume (MCV)
4. DA rise in the reticulocyte count

A middle-aged man has fatigue, joint pain, a raised ALT and new diabetes. His ferritin is very high and his transferrin saturation is above 60%. Which condition is most likely?

1. AHereditary hemochromatosis
2. BIron-deficiency anemia
3. CAnemia of chronic disease
4. DAcute viral hepatitis A

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. AContinue the isoniazid and give it with food to settle the stomach
2. BDouble the dose to finish the treatment course more quickly
3. CReassure the patient that dark urine is a harmless drug effect
4. DHold the isoniazid and report the findings to the prescriber at once