Which statement best describes the Basic Metabolic Panel?

Which statement best describes the Basic Metabolic Panel?

• A. It measures lipids and proteins.
• B. It measures blood glucose only.
• C. It measures electrolytes and organ function.
• D. It measures blood pressure.

Answer: (C)

The essential idea is that the Basic Metabolic Panel is a blood test set used to evaluate the body's chemical balance and kidney function. It provides measurements of electrolytes – like sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate – which show how well fluids and nerve/muscle signaling are balanced. It also includes markers of kidney function such as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, which reflect how well the kidneys are filtering. Glucose is often included as part of the panel to gauge metabolic status. This combination gives a snapshot of electrolyte balance and organ (kidney) function, which is exactly what the statement describes. It doesn’t measure lipids or proteins, which are the focus of lipid panels or specific protein tests, and it doesn’t measure blood pressure, which is a clinical measurement rather than a laboratory value.

The essential idea is that the Basic Metabolic Panel is a blood test set used to evaluate the body's chemical balance and kidney function. It provides measurements of electrolytes – like sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate – which show how well fluids and nerve/muscle signaling are balanced. It also includes markers of kidney function such as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, which reflect how well the kidneys are filtering. Glucose is often included as part of the panel to gauge metabolic status. This combination gives a snapshot of electrolyte balance and organ (kidney) function, which is exactly what the statement describes.

It doesn’t measure lipids or proteins, which are the focus of lipid panels or specific protein tests, and it doesn’t measure blood pressure, which is a clinical measurement rather than a laboratory value.