Critical Values Quiz: When Do You Call the Doctor?

1. What is the typical critical value threshold for serum potassium that requires immediate physician notification?

< 2.8 mEq/L or > 6.2 mEq/L

< 3.5 mEq/L or > 5.0 mEq/L

< 4.0 mEq/L or > 5.5 mEq/L

< 3.0 mEq/L or > 7.0 mEq/L

2. A patient's blood glucose is 35 mg/dL. This is a critical value because severe hypoglycemia can cause what immediate complication?

Seizures and loss of consciousness

Hyperventilation only

Mild confusion that resolves with rest

Temporary vision changes

3. Which serum sodium level is considered critical and requires immediate intervention?

120 mEq/L or 160 mEq/L

125 mEq/L or 150 mEq/L

130 mEq/L or 145 mEq/L

135 mEq/L or 140 mEq/L

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5. True or False: A blood pH of 7.15 is a critical value requiring immediate physician notification.

True

False

6. What is the critical threshold for partial thromboplastin time (PTT) that suggests dangerous bleeding risk?

> 100 seconds

> 80 seconds

> 60 seconds

> 120 seconds

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8. Which of the following represents a critical calcium level?

< 6.5 mg/dL or > 13 mg/dL

< 7.0 mg/dL or > 12 mg/dL

< 8.0 mg/dL or > 10 mg/dL

< 9.0 mg/dL or > 11 mg/dL

9. True or False: A troponin level of 2.5 ng/mL always indicates acute myocardial infarction.

True

False

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11. What critical value for arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) suggests severe hypoxemia?

< 50 mmHg

< 60 mmHg

< 70 mmHg

< 80 mmHg

12. True or False: All critical lab values must be reported to the physician verbally within 30 minutes.

True

False

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14. Which critical value for prothrombin time (PT/INR) indicates severe coagulation impairment?

INR > 8.0

INR > 6.0

INR > 5.0

INR > 4.0

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Critical Values Quiz: When Do You Call the Doctor?

1. What is the typical critical value threshold for serum potassium that requires immediate physician notification?

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. A patient's blood glucose is 35 mg/dL. This is a critical value because severe hypoglycemia can cause what immediate complication?

3. Which serum sodium level is considered critical and requires immediate intervention?

4. A hemoglobin of 6.5 g/dL is critical because it indicates severe____.

5. True or False: A blood pH of 7.15 is a critical value requiring immediate physician notification.

6. What is the critical threshold for partial thromboplastin time (PTT) that suggests dangerous bleeding risk?

7. A platelet count of 20,000/μL is critical because the patient is at high risk for____.

8. Which of the following represents a critical calcium level?

9. True or False: A troponin level of 2.5 ng/mL always indicates acute myocardial infarction.

10. A white blood cell count of 1,200/μL is critical because it indicates severe____.

11. What critical value for arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) suggests severe hypoxemia?

12. True or False: All critical lab values must be reported to the physician verbally within 30 minutes.

13. A magnesium level of 0.9 mg/dL is critical because it can cause cardiac____.

14. Which critical value for prothrombin time (PT/INR) indicates severe coagulation impairment?

15. A blood lactate of 8 mmol/L is critical because it suggests tissue____ and potential sepsis.