Which statement accurately describes the role of the Basic Metabolic Panel?

Which statement accurately describes the role of the Basic Metabolic Panel?

• A. It is used for diabetes screening and measuring electrolytes
• B. It measures liver enzymes only
• C. It screens for bone density
• D. It screens for kidney stones

Answer: (A)

The Basic Metabolic Panel provides a quick snapshot of the body’s electrolyte balance, acid-base status, and kidney function, and it includes a glucose measurement. This combination—electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate), kidney function markers (BUN and creatinine), and glucose—relates directly to evaluating metabolic status and diabetes risk, making the statement that it is used for diabetes screening and measuring electrolytes the best fit. The other options don’t describe what the panel assesses: liver enzymes are not part of a BMP (they’re tested in liver panels or the CMP), bone density is evaluated by bone-density imaging, and kidney stones are typically detected by imaging rather than a metabolic panel.

The Basic Metabolic Panel provides a quick snapshot of the body’s electrolyte balance, acid-base status, and kidney function, and it includes a glucose measurement. This combination—electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate), kidney function markers (BUN and creatinine), and glucose—relates directly to evaluating metabolic status and diabetes risk, making the statement that it is used for diabetes screening and measuring electrolytes the best fit. The other options don’t describe what the panel assesses: liver enzymes are not part of a BMP (they’re tested in liver panels or the CMP), bone density is evaluated by bone-density imaging, and kidney stones are typically detected by imaging rather than a metabolic panel.