CLINICAL LABORATORY FINAL EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
SOLUTIONS 2026
> Healthcare providers are treating a 49-year-old male complaining of
diffuse abdominal cramping. He has been ill with vomiting for 3 days. What
working diagnosis is most probable? Answer: Gastroenteritis
> While assessing your patient, you note he involuntarily flexes the legs in
response to flexing the neck. The patient is presenting with: Answer: A
positive Brudzinski's sign indicating possible meningitis
> Healthcare providers are assessing an obese 49-year-old who is
lethargic and has not been feeling well for several days. His family reports
a history of extreme thirst. Vital signs are P 143, R 14, and BP 88/58. He
takes medication for type 2 diabetes daily. What is the most probably
working diagnosis? Answer: Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic coma
> A fire fighter has been working a fire for 4 hours on a humid, hot day. He
suddenly becomes nauseated and restless. The provider observes pupil
dilation and an almond odor to his breath. The vital signs are P 56, R 22,
BP 140/86. The ECG reveals sinus bradycardia with occasional PACs.
Which toxin exposure has occurred? Answer: Cyanide poisoning
> Healthcare providers are treating a patient that has taken an unknown
amount of a prescribed pain medicine along with an over-the-counter
analgesic numerous times over the last 36 hours for chronic lumbar pain.
The patient is experiencing abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The
providers note pallor, and diaphoresis. Blood glucose level is 42mg/dL
(2.3mmol/L). What toxin overdose is suspected? Answer: Acetaminophen
> A patient complains of nausea and is passing black, tarry stools rectally.
This patient is most likely suffering from: Answer: Upper GI bleed
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
SOLUTIONS 2026
> Healthcare providers are treating a 49-year-old male complaining of
diffuse abdominal cramping. He has been ill with vomiting for 3 days. What
working diagnosis is most probable? Answer: Gastroenteritis
> While assessing your patient, you note he involuntarily flexes the legs in
response to flexing the neck. The patient is presenting with: Answer: A
positive Brudzinski's sign indicating possible meningitis
> Healthcare providers are assessing an obese 49-year-old who is
lethargic and has not been feeling well for several days. His family reports
a history of extreme thirst. Vital signs are P 143, R 14, and BP 88/58. He
takes medication for type 2 diabetes daily. What is the most probably
working diagnosis? Answer: Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic coma
> A fire fighter has been working a fire for 4 hours on a humid, hot day. He
suddenly becomes nauseated and restless. The provider observes pupil
dilation and an almond odor to his breath. The vital signs are P 56, R 22,
BP 140/86. The ECG reveals sinus bradycardia with occasional PACs.
Which toxin exposure has occurred? Answer: Cyanide poisoning
> Healthcare providers are treating a patient that has taken an unknown
amount of a prescribed pain medicine along with an over-the-counter
analgesic numerous times over the last 36 hours for chronic lumbar pain.
The patient is experiencing abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The
providers note pallor, and diaphoresis. Blood glucose level is 42mg/dL
(2.3mmol/L). What toxin overdose is suspected? Answer: Acetaminophen
> A patient complains of nausea and is passing black, tarry stools rectally.
This patient is most likely suffering from: Answer: Upper GI bleed
