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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Healthcare

Medical Normal Values Knowledge Quiz

Sharpen Your Skills in Normal Lab Ranges

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
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Ready to explore your mastery of clinical reference ranges? This Medical Normal Values Knowledge Quiz offers 15 varied questions to help students, nurses, and healthcare professionals sharpen their understanding of normal lab values. Those seeking broader medical assessments can also try the Medical Knowledge Assessment Quiz or focus on blood analyses with the Nursing Lab Values Knowledge Test. All questions are fully editable in our intuitive builder, so educators can customize content effortlessly. Jump into more quizzes and elevate your clinical insights today!

What is the normal fasting blood glucose range for a healthy adult?
70-99 mg/dL
100-125 mg/dL
126-150 mg/dL
50-69 mg/dL
The standard fasting blood glucose range is 70-99 mg/dL in healthy adults. Values between 100-125 mg/dL indicate impaired fasting glucose, and levels ≥126 mg/dL suggest diabetes. Readings below 70 mg/dL are considered hypoglycemic.
What is the normal hemoglobin range for an adult male?
13.8-17.2 g/dL
12.1-15.1 g/dL
10.5-13.5 g/dL
9.0-11.0 g/dL
Normal hemoglobin in adult males ranges from 13.8 to 17.2 g/dL. Females have a slightly lower normal range of 12.1 to 15.1 g/dL. Values below these ranges can indicate anemia and values above may suggest polycythemia.
What is the normal white blood cell (WBC) count in healthy adults?
4,500-11,000 cells/µL
1,000-2,500 cells/µL
12,000-18,000 cells/µL
20,000-30,000 cells/µL
The normal adult WBC count ranges from 4,500 to 11,000 cells per microliter. Counts below this range suggest leukopenia, while counts above suggest leukocytosis. Extreme elevations may indicate infection or hematologic malignancy.
What is the standard reference range for serum sodium in adults?
135-145 mmol/L
125-135 mmol/L
145-155 mmol/L
120-130 mmol/L
Normal serum sodium in adults is 135-145 mmol/L. Hyponatremia is defined as levels below 135 mmol/L, and hypernatremia is above 145 mmol/L. Sodium is critical for fluid balance and neuromuscular function.
What is the normal platelet count range in a healthy adult?
150,000-400,000/µL
50,000-100,000/µL
400,000-600,000/µL
20,000-50,000/µL
Normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 400,000 per microliter in adults. Counts below 150,000/µL define thrombocytopenia, increasing bleeding risk. Counts above 400,000/µL define thrombocytosis, which can raise clotting risk.
A patient's serum potassium level is 5.8 mmol/L. How is this classified?
Mild hyperkalemia
Severe hyperkalemia
Hypokalemia
Normal
Mild hyperkalemia is defined as serum potassium between 5.5 and 6.0 mmol/L. Severe hyperkalemia is above 6.5 mmol/L and can be life-threatening. Levels below 3.5 mmol/L represent hypokalemia.
An AST/ALT ratio greater than 2:1 is most suggestive of which condition?
Alcoholic hepatitis
Viral hepatitis
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Autoimmune hepatitis
An AST to ALT ratio >2:1 is classically associated with alcoholic hepatitis due to mitochondrial damage. Viral hepatitis typically shows higher ALT than AST. Other liver diseases often have a ratio closer to or less than 1.
A 2-year-old child has a hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL. Is this within the normal range for their age?
Yes, it is normal
No, it is low (anemia)
No, it is high (polycythemia)
It depends on gender
Normal hemoglobin for toddlers aged 1-3 years ranges from 11.0 to 13.5 g/dL. A value of 11.0 g/dL is at the lower end of normal rather than indicating anemia. Gender does not significantly alter this pediatric reference range.
Calculate the anion gap given Na+ 140 mmol/L, Cl− 100 mmol/L, HCO3− 24 mmol/L.
16 mmol/L
12 mmol/L
20 mmol/L
8 mmol/L
Anion gap = [Na+] − ([Cl−] + [HCO3−]) = 140 − (100 + 24) = 16 mmol/L. The normal anion gap is 8-16 mmol/L, so this value is at the upper limit of normal. Elevated gaps suggest metabolic acidosis.
An arterial blood gas shows pH 7.25, PaCO2 50 mmHg, HCO3− 24 mmol/L. What is the primary acid-base disorder?
Acute respiratory acidosis
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis
A low pH with elevated PaCO2 and normal bicarbonate indicates acute respiratory acidosis. The primary disturbance is hypoventilation raising CO2. In metabolic acidosis, HCO3− would be low.
What is the normal serum iron range in adult males?
60-170 µg/dL
20-60 µg/dL
170-300 µg/dL
300-400 µg/dL
Normal adult male serum iron is 60-170 µg/dL. Levels below this suggest iron deficiency, while elevated levels may indicate hemochromatosis or hemolysis. Reference ranges can vary slightly by laboratory.
What is the normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for adult males?
0-15 mm/hr
0-5 mm/hr
20-30 mm/hr
30-40 mm/hr
Normal ESR in adult males is 0-15 mm/hr. Females have a slightly higher normal range (0-20 mm/hr). Elevated ESR indicates inflammation but is nonspecific.
What is the standard reference range for serum albumin in adults?
3.5-5.0 g/dL
2.0-3.0 g/dL
5.5-6.5 g/dL
1.0-2.0 g/dL
Normal adult serum albumin ranges from 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL. Levels below 3.5 g/dL suggest hypoalbuminemia, which may occur in malnutrition, liver disease, or nephrotic syndrome. Higher levels are uncommon.
A BUN of 40 mg/dL and creatinine of 1.5 mg/dL yields a BUN/Cr ratio around 27. What does this suggest?
Pre-renal azotemia
Intrinsic renal failure
Post-renal obstruction
Normal renal function
A BUN/creatinine ratio greater than 20:1 is characteristic of pre-renal azotemia due to decreased renal perfusion. Intrinsic renal failure usually shows a ratio closer to 10-15:1. Post-renal causes vary.
What is the normal total serum calcium range in adults?
8.5-10.2 mg/dL
7.0-8.0 mg/dL
10.5-12.5 mg/dL
11.0-13.0 mg/dL
Normal total serum calcium in adults is 8.5-10.2 mg/dL. Levels below 8.5 mg/dL indicate hypocalcemia, which can cause neuromuscular irritability. Levels above 10.2 mg/dL indicate hypercalcemia.
An arterial blood gas shows pH 7.30, PaCO2 60 mmHg, HCO3− 28 mmol/L. What acid-base disorder is present?
Combined respiratory acidosis and metabolic alkalosis
Simple respiratory acidosis
Simple metabolic acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
The elevated PaCO2 and low pH indicate respiratory acidosis, but the elevated HCO3− suggests a concurrent metabolic alkalosis. This mixed disorder cannot be a simple respiratory acidosis since bicarbonate is increased. Mixed disorders involve opposite compensations.
A patient has serum Na+ 128 mmol/L, serum osmolality 260 mOsm/kg, urine osmolality 600 mOsm/kg. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
Diabetes insipidus
Primary polydipsia
Hyperaldosteronism
Hyponatremia with low serum osmolality and inappropriately high urine osmolality is characteristic of SIADH, where ADH causes water retention. Diabetes insipidus presents with low urine osmolality. Primary polydipsia shows dilute urine.
A patient's BUN is 40 mg/dL and creatinine is 1.5 mg/dL. The BUN/Cr ratio is elevated. Which type of azotemia does this indicate?
Pre-renal azotemia
Intrinsic renal failure
Post-renal azotemia
Hepatorenal syndrome
A BUN/creatinine ratio above 20:1 is typical of pre-renal azotemia caused by reduced renal perfusion. Intrinsic and post-renal causes usually have ratios closer to normal. Hepatorenal syndrome is a form of functional pre-renal azotemia but requires liver failure context.
A patient has total bilirubin of 3.0 mg/dL and direct bilirubin of 0.3 mg/dL. Which pattern is present?
Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia
Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia
Mixed hyperbilirubinemia
Normal bilirubin profile
When direct (conjugated) bilirubin is low relative to total bilirubin, the excess is unconjugated. Here, 2.7 mg/dL is unconjugated, indicating unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia would show elevated direct bilirubin.
Calculate the alveolar - arterial (A - a) gradient for a 40-year-old on room air with PaO2 60 mmHg and PaCO2 40 mmHg. (Use PAO2 = FiO2*(Patm − PH2O)−PaCO2/0.8, Patm=760 mmHg, PH2O=47 mmHg.)
Approximately 40 mmHg
Approximately 10 mmHg
Approximately 25 mmHg
Approximately 60 mmHg
PAO2 = 0.21*(760−47) − 40/0.8 ≈ 149.7 − 50 = 99.7 mmHg. The A - a gradient = PAO2 − PaO2 ≈ 99.7 − 60 ≈ 40 mmHg. Normal A - a gradient is 5 - 15 mmHg, so this is elevated.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify standard medical normal values across key lab tests
  2. Analyze deviations and interpret their clinical significance
  3. Apply reference ranges to case-based scenarios
  4. Evaluate patient data against established norms
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of variations by age and gender
  6. Master the use of normal values in diagnostic decisions

Cheat Sheet

  1. Know Reference Ranges - Get cozy with the normal values for electrolytes, blood counts, and liver tests so you can spot anomalies in a flash. Think of these numbers as your lab test cheat sheet - master them, and you'll breeze through result interpretation. NBME Lab Values
  2. Interpret Deviations - When lab values wander off track, learn what those detours mean clinically. For instance, elevated liver enzymes might hint at a hepatic headache (aka damage), so you'll know when to sound the alarm. MedPage Today on Deviations
  3. Age & Gender Impact - Labs change over time and between genders, so tailor your expectations accordingly. A hemoglobin target for a teen girl won't match that of a grown man - context is everything! LibreTexts Adult Lab Values
  4. Importance of Fasting - Skip breakfast (just for a bit) to keep glucose and lipid results legit - no sneaky post-snack spikes allowed! Proper fasting ensures you're reading the body's baseline, not its snack attack. IAPAC Fasting Guidelines
  5. External Influences - Meds, hydration levels, and your last sprint can all nudge lab values up or down. Pinpoint these culprits so you don't misdiagnose a temporary quirk as a chronic condition. Nursing Science Lab Ranges
  6. Case-Based Application - Jump into real-life patient stories to apply your reference ranges and build detective-level diagnostic skills. The more you practice, the sharper your clinical instincts will become! LibreTexts Nursing Skills
  7. Critical Values Alert - Memorize the "red flag" numbers - like sky-high potassium - that demand immediate action. Rapid recognition can be the difference between a routine shift and a life-saving intervention. MedPage Today on Critical Labs
  8. Mnemonic Mastery - Turn data overload into catchy jingles or acronyms ("60-100" for fasting glucose!) to lock numbers in your brain. Mnemonics make recall a breeze, especially under exam pressure. Lab Value Mnemonics
  9. Physiological Variations - Pregnancy, puberty, and aging each tweak normal ranges - don't let life's curveballs stump you. Stay current on these shifts so you interpret every result in its right context. IAPAC Physiological Changes
  10. Derived Calculations - Master formulas like the anion gap (Na❺ - [Cl❻ + HCO₃❻]) to unmask hidden acid-base imbalances. Crunching these numbers turns raw data into actionable insights! NBME Anion Gap Guide
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