6 Integrated Laboratory Interpretation Practice Online Quiz Questions

True or false: A normal white blood cell count rules out serious illness.

Using the approximate adult reference range in the material, what is the upper limit for sodium?

Using the approximate adult reference range in the material, what is the lower limit for platelets?

In the case of rising potassium described in the material, what new ECG finding was present?

True or false: A rapidly changing laboratory result or a symptomatic patient may be more concerning than a single mildly abnormal result.

A patient with chronic kidney disease reports new weakness. Potassium has risen from 5.2 to 6.4 mmol/L, creatinine is above baseline, and the ECG shows new peaked T waves. What is the priority response?

A patient receiving insulin is diaphoretic and confused. Point-of-care glucose is 42 mg/dL, and the patient cannot safely swallow. What should the nurse do first?

A patient reports black, tarry stools. Hemoglobin falls from 11.4 to 8.7 g/dL over several hours. The patient is pale and diaphoretic, heart rate is 126/min, blood pressure is 90/56 mm Hg, and urine output is decreasing. What is the priority?

When interpreting a laboratory result, which additional information should be considered? Select all that apply.

An older adult with suspected infection becomes more drowsy. Blood pressure is 86/50 mm Hg, heart rate is 122/min, urine output has fallen, lactate has risen from 2.1 to 4.3 mmol/L, and white blood cells are 18 × 10⁹/L. Which findings together heighten concern for impaired perfusion and warrant urgent escalation? Select all that apply.

A patient’s creatinine is above their usual baseline and urine output is decreasing, but the creatinine result remains within the laboratory’s stated reference interval. Explain how you would interpret the result and what additional information or assessment you would consider before deciding how concerning it is.

A white blood cell count within the common approximate reference range is enough to rule out serious illness.

The approximate hemoglobin range for adult men is 13.5–17.5 g/dL. A patient's result is 13.0 g/dL. How far below the lower boundary is the result?

A patient's platelet count is below the reporting laboratory's reference range. Which potential concern is most directly associated with a low platelet count?

A patient with chronic kidney disease has a creatinine result above their usual baseline. Which approach best supports interpretation of this result?

A clinically stable patient has a mildly abnormal laboratory result. Which approach best fits safe interpretation?

A patient receiving insulin is confused and diaphoretic, with a point-of-care glucose of 42 mg/dL. The patient cannot safely swallow. What is the best immediate response?

A patient with chronic kidney disease has new weakness, a potassium level that has risen from 5.2 to 6.4 mmol/L, and new peaked T waves on the ECG. What is the priority response?