Lab Values Quiz: Normal or Abnormal? Test Yourself

1. A patient's serum sodium level is 128 mEq/L. Is this value normal or abnormal?

Normal (135–145 mEq/L)

Abnormal (hyponatremia)

Normal (120–130 mEq/L)

Cannot determine without urine osmolality

2. A hemoglobin level of 14.5 g/dL in an adult male is considered:

Abnormal (polycythemia)

Normal (13.5–17.5 g/dL)

Abnormal (anemia)

Requires transfusion

3. Which of the following represents an abnormal potassium level?

3.5 mEq/L

4.2 mEq/L

6.8 mEq/L

4.0 mEq/L

4. A fasting blood glucose of 105 mg/dL is:

Normal (70–100 mg/dL fasting)

Abnormal (impaired fasting glucose)

Severe hypoglycemia

Diabetic range (>200 mg/dL)

5. An albumin level of 2.8 g/dL indicates:

Normal (3.5–5.0 g/dL)

Mild hypoalbuminemia

Normal for elderly patients

Elevated protein synthesis

6. True or False: A TSH level of 0.5 mIU/L is abnormal in a euthyroid adult.

True

False

7. A creatinine level of 2.2 mg/dL in an adult female suggests:

Normal renal function (0.6–1.2 mg/dL)

Mild renal impairment

Moderate to severe renal dysfunction

Excellent kidney function

8. Which WBC count falls outside the normal range (4.5–11.0 K/µL)?

7.2 K/µL

3.8 K/µL

9.5 K/µL

6.0 K/µL

9. A total bilirubin of 1.8 mg/dL is:

Normal (0.1–1.2 mg/dL)

Mildly elevated

Severe jaundice

Indicates hemolysis only

10. An INR of 3.5 in a patient not on anticoagulation therapy is:

Normal (0.8–1.1)

Abnormal (prolonged coagulation)

Indicates thrombosis

Requires immediate phlebotomy

11. A platelet count of 450 K/µL represents:

Thrombocytopenia

Normal (150–400 K/µL)

Mild thrombocytosis

Severe bleeding risk

12. Match each lab value to its classification.

Calcium 7.2 mg/dL

Magnesium 2.1 mg/dL

Phosphate 5.8 mg/dL

Chloride 102 mEq/L

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13. An AST level of 85 U/L and ALT level of 120 U/L are:

Normal liver function

Abnormal (hepatic injury pattern)

Indicate muscle damage only

Require emergency intervention

14. A BUN of 28 mg/dL with creatinine 1.0 mg/dL suggests:

Normal renal function (BUN 7–20 mg/dL)

Prerenal azotemia or dehydration

Acute kidney injury

Normal BUN-to-creatinine ratio

15. A hematocrit of 32% in an adult female indicates:

Normal (36–46%)

Mild anemia

Polycythemia vera

Requires immediate transfusion