Which test evaluates the concentration of different blood cell types, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets?

• A. Basic Metabolic Panel
• B. Blood Cultures
• C. Glucose
• D. Complete Blood Count

Answer: (D)

A Complete Blood Count measures the concentrations of the main blood cell types—white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets—and often includes hemoglobin, hematocrit, and sometimes a white cell differential. This gives a snapshot of your blood’s cellular components and helps assess oxygen transport, infection or inflammation, and clotting potential. The other tests don’t focus on blood cells: a basic metabolic panel checks electrolytes, kidney function, and glucose; blood cultures look for bacteria in the bloodstream; glucose testing measures blood sugar. So the CBC is the test that directly evaluates the quantities of the different blood cell types.