Which panel is used to check electrolytes and kidney function?

• A. Basic Metabolic Panel
• B. Brain Natriuretic Peptide
• C. Complete Blood Count
• D. Blood Urea Nitrogen

Answer: (B)

The panel that checks electrolytes and kidney function is designed to quickly assess fluid balance, acid-base status, and renal filtration in one test. This is the Basic Metabolic Panel. It includes electrolytes like sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate, plus kidney function markers such as creatinine and BUN, and often glucose. Together, these measurements give a snapshot of how well the kidneys are filtering and how balanced the body's electrolytes and acid-base status are.

Brain Natriuretic Peptide is a marker used to evaluate heart failure and cardiac stress, not electrolyte or kidney status. A Complete Blood Count looks at blood cells and doesn’t address electrolytes or kidney function. Blood Urea Nitrogen is a single kidney function marker; while it helps gauge kidney function, it doesn’t provide the full electrolyte picture, which the Basic Metabolic Panel covers.