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

What does the term "leukopenia" mean?

  1. AA high platelet count
  2. BA low red blood cell count
  3. CA low white blood cell count
  4. DA high white blood cell count
2.Easy

The tumor marker CA-125 is most often used to follow which cancer?

  1. AThyroid cancer
  2. BLung cancer
  3. CColon cancer
  4. DOvarian cancer
3.Easy

What is a typical adult reference range for serum creatinine?

  1. AAbout 135–145 mg/dL
  2. BAbout 10–20 mg/dL
  3. CAbout 3.5–5.0 mg/dL
  4. DAbout 0.6–1.2 mg/dL
4.Medium

A trauma patient receives 2 L of IV crystalloid. The hemoglobin falls from 13.0 to 11.4 g/dL (130 to 114 g/L), and the vital signs are now stable. Which explanation is most likely?

  1. AIncreased red cell production
  2. BA laboratory error in the first sample
  3. CA sudden failure of the bone marrow
  4. DDilution of the blood by the IV fluid
5.Medium

A patient with type 2 diabetes starts prednisone each morning. When is the glucose most likely to be highest?

  1. AIn the afternoon and evening
  2. BThe glucose will not change
  3. CIn the early morning, before the dose
  4. DAt midnight only
6.Medium

When should a blood specimen tube be labeled?

  1. AAt the nurses' station, after all samples for the shift are drawn
  2. BBefore entering the room, so tubes are ready for the next patients
  3. CAt the bedside, in the patient's presence, using two identifiers
  4. DIn the laboratory, by the staff who receive the unlabeled sample
7.Hard

A healthy woman at 10 weeks of pregnancy has a slightly low TSH with a normal free T4 and no symptoms. What is the most likely explanation?

  1. AThe result shows severe primary hypothyroidism
  2. BShe has pituitary failure from the pregnancy
  3. CShe has developed Graves disease in pregnancy
  4. DhCG stimulates the thyroid in early pregnancy
8.Hard

A patient with heart failure takes lisinopril, spironolactone and a potassium supplement. Today the potassium is 6.0 mEq/L. What is the most likely explanation?

  1. APotassium supplements have no effect on the serum level
  2. BSpironolactone causes potassium loss
  3. CLisinopril lowers potassium
  4. DSeveral medicines that raise potassium are being taken together

Answer key

  1. 1. C · A low white blood cell count
  2. 2. D · Ovarian cancer
  3. 3. D · About 0.6–1.2 mg/dL
  4. 4. D · Dilution of the blood by the IV fluid
  5. 5. A · In the afternoon and evening
  6. 6. C · At the bedside, in the patient's presence, using two identifiers
  7. 7. D · hCG stimulates the thyroid in early pregnancy
  8. 8. D · Several medicines that raise potassium are being taken together

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