Lab values & electrolytes worksheet with answers

A low mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) means that the red cells are:

1. APaler than normal (hypochromic)
2. BShaped like a sickle
3. CLarger than normal (macrocytic)
4. DMore numerous than normal

A laboratory reports that a blood sample is "hemolyzed." What does this mean?

1. ARed cells in the sample have broken open
2. BThe sample has a very low hemoglobin
3. CThe sample contains too many platelets
4. DThe sample was taken from an artery

Thrombocytopenia is usually defined as a platelet count below:

1. A1,000 × 10³/µL (1,000 × 10⁹/L)
2. B15 × 10³/µL (15 × 10⁹/L)
3. C450 × 10³/µL (450 × 10⁹/L)
4. D150 × 10³/µL (150 × 10⁹/L)

When should the nurse check the glucose before giving a mealtime dose of rapid-acting insulin (such as lispro)?

1. AAt bedtime only, then giving the mealtime insulin overnight
2. BOnly once a day, then giving the same dose before every meal
3. CJust before the meal, giving insulin when the food is ready
4. DTwo hours after the meal, then giving the insulin dose

A patient with suspected pulmonary TB needs sputum samples for acid-fast bacilli. Which instruction is correct?

1. AGive one sample after brushing with mouthwash so it is clean
2. BGive several samples of nasal mucus blown into a tissue
3. CGive one sample of saliva collected from the mouth at any time of day
4. DGive several deep-cough samples, often first thing in the morning

A patient with chest pain that started one hour ago has a normal first troponin. What is the correct interpretation?

1. AThe patient can be discharged home straight away
2. BTroponin is not useful in patients with chest pain
3. CInfarction is ruled out, so no further troponin tests are needed
4. DInfarction is not ruled out; troponin is repeated per protocol

Which patient should the nurse assess first?

1. AChest pain with troponin rising from the first to the second sample
2. BHeart failure with a BNP lower than the result on admission
3. CStable angina with a total cholesterol of 245 mg/dL (6.3 mmol/L)
4. DHypertension with a potassium of 3.6 mEq/L on a thiazide

A young man has a swollen knee after minor trauma. His aPTT is prolonged, but his PT/INR and platelet count are normal. Which condition fits best?

1. ADisseminated intravascular coagulation
2. BHemophilia A (factor VIII deficiency)
3. CVitamin K deficiency from poor diet
4. DImmune thrombocytopenia (ITP)