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

What does a "culture and sensitivity" test of a sample show?

  1. AWhich organism grows and which antibiotics work on it
  2. BWhether the patient is allergic to an antibiotic
  3. CThe amount of antibiotic in the patient's blood
  4. DHow many white cells are present in the sample
2.Easy

What is a typical adult reference range for serum creatinine?

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

In a healthy adult, the CSF glucose is usually about what proportion of the blood glucose?

  1. AAbout one tenth (10%)
  2. BExactly the same (100%)
  3. CAbout double (200%)
  4. DAbout two-thirds (60%)
4.Medium

A patient with joint aches has a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test. Which statement is correct?

  1. AA positive ANA supports lupus but does not diagnose it alone
  2. BA positive ANA means the patient has a viral infection
  3. CA positive ANA proves the patient has rheumatoid arthritis
  4. DA positive ANA rules out all other autoimmune diseases
5.Medium

A patient who has been vomiting for two days has a BUN of 32 mg/dL (urea 11.4 mmol/L) and a normal creatinine. What is the most likely cause?

  1. AOverhydration
  2. BLiver failure
  3. CLow-protein diet
  4. DDehydration
6.Medium

When should a blood specimen tube be labeled?

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

The nurse teaches a patient who is starting warfarin. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?

  1. A"If I miss a dose, I will take two tablets the next day"
  2. B"I will tell my dentist and pharmacist that I take warfarin"
  3. C"I will keep my intake of green leafy vegetables about the same"
  4. D"I will have my INR checked as often as I am told to"
8.Hard

A patient with cirrhosis and ascites has fever and abdominal tenderness. The ascitic fluid neutrophil count is 400 cells/mm³. What does this indicate?

  1. ANormal ascitic fluid in cirrhosis
  2. BMalignant ascites from cancer
  3. CBleeding into the abdominal cavity
  4. DSpontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Which organism grows and which antibiotics work on it
  2. 2. C · About 0.6–1.2 mg/dL
  3. 3. D · About two-thirds (60%)
  4. 4. A · A positive ANA supports lupus but does not diagnose it alone
  5. 5. D · Dehydration
  6. 6. C · At the bedside, in the patient's presence, using two identifiers
  7. 7. A · "If I miss a dose, I will take two tablets the next day"
  8. 8. D · Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

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