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

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
2.Easy

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

  1. ASodium
  2. BChloride
  3. CPotassium
  4. DCalcium
3.Easy

An older adult is found on the floor after lying there for many hours. Which blood test best shows breakdown of skeletal muscle (rhabdomyolysis)?

  1. ASerum lipase
  2. BSerum albumin
  3. CCreatine kinase (CK)
  4. DHemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
4.Medium

A patient is starting atorvastatin. Which laboratory test is usually checked at baseline?

  1. ASerum lipase
  2. BBlood cultures
  3. CThyroid antibodies
  4. DLiver enzymes
5.Medium

A patient had a total thyroidectomy yesterday. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor in the first days after surgery?

  1. ASerum calcium
  2. BSerum glucose
  3. CSerum potassium
  4. DSerum sodium
6.Medium

A patient is starting dabigatran, a direct oral anticoagulant. Which laboratory test is most important to review before the first dose?

  1. ATSH, to rule out an overactive thyroid gland
  2. BLipase, to rule out an inflamed pancreas first
  3. CKidney function (creatinine clearance)
  4. DINR, to set the dose of the anticoagulant
7.Hard

Why can an HbA1c result be misleading in a patient who received a large blood transfusion two weeks ago?

  1. AMany red cells are donor cells, not exposed to the patient’s glucose
  2. BTransfusions always raise HbA1c to falsely high levels
  3. CHbA1c measures sugar on white cells, not red cells
  4. DHbA1c is accurate in every situation
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. ADouble the dose to finish the treatment course more quickly
  2. BHold the isoniazid and report the findings to the prescriber at once
  3. CReassure the patient that dark urine is a harmless drug effect
  4. DContinue the isoniazid and give it with food to settle the stomach

Answer key

  1. 1. A · It has a short half-life, so it changes within days
  2. 2. C · Potassium
  3. 3. C · Creatine kinase (CK)
  4. 4. D · Liver enzymes
  5. 5. A · Serum calcium
  6. 6. C · Kidney function (creatinine clearance)
  7. 7. A · Many red cells are donor cells, not exposed to the patient’s glucose
  8. 8. B · Hold the isoniazid and report the findings to the prescriber at once

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