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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1.Easy

A blood lactate level above about which value is usually considered raised in an adult?

  1. A20 mmol/L
  2. B10 mmol/L
  3. C2 mmol/L
  4. D0.2 mmol/L
2.Easy

In a person with HIV infection, a CD4 count below which level defines AIDS?

  1. A500 cells/µL
  2. B50 cells/µL
  3. C1,000 cells/µL
  4. D200 cells/µL
3.Easy

What is a typical adult reference range for serum phosphate?

  1. AAbout 5.5–7.5 mg/dL (1.8–2.4 mmol/L)
  2. BAbout 2.5–4.5 mg/dL (0.8–1.5 mmol/L)
  3. CAbout 0.5–1.5 mg/dL (0.2–0.5 mmol/L)
  4. DAbout 8.5–10.5 mg/dL (2.1–2.6 mmol/L)
4.Medium

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

  1. AHigh potassium and high bicarbonate
  2. BHigh sodium and high calcium
  3. CLow potassium and low bicarbonate
  4. DLow glucose and high magnesium
5.Medium

How should a patient collect a clean-catch midstream urine sample?

  1. AFill the cup completely, then add tap water if there is not enough
  2. BClean the area, start voiding into the toilet, then catch the middle part
  3. CCollect the very first urine of the stream directly in the sterile cup
  4. DCollect urine from the toilet bowl after voiding into the toilet
6.Medium

An older adult takes lisinopril and furosemide and recently started daily ibuprofen for knee pain. The creatinine has risen from 1.0 to 1.8 mg/dL (88 to 159 µmol/L). What is the most likely cause?

  1. ANormal aging of the kidneys over a period of a few weeks
  2. BThe NSAID reduces kidney blood flow on top of the other two drugs
  3. CMore activity has increased the patient's muscle mass quickly
  4. DA laboratory error, since ibuprofen has no effect on the kidney
7.Hard

A 5-year-old has new bruising and petechiae two weeks after a viral illness. Platelets are 12 × 10³/µL; hemoglobin, white cell count and clotting times are normal. Which condition is most likely?

  1. AImmune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
  2. BAcute leukemia
  3. CHemophilia A
  4. DDisseminated intravascular coagulation
8.Hard

A patient admitted with heavy alcohol use and malnutrition has a glucose of 52 mg/dL (2.9 mmol/L) and low magnesium. Which prescribed treatment should be given before the IV glucose?

  1. AIV insulin
  2. BIV thiamine
  3. COral iron
  4. DIV potassium

Answer key

  1. 1. C · 2 mmol/L
  2. 2. D · 200 cells/µL
  3. 3. B · About 2.5–4.5 mg/dL (0.8–1.5 mmol/L)
  4. 4. C · Low potassium and low bicarbonate
  5. 5. B · Clean the area, start voiding into the toilet, then catch the middle part
  6. 6. B · The NSAID reduces kidney blood flow on top of the other two drugs
  7. 7. A · Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
  8. 8. B · IV thiamine

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