50 Common Blood Tests by Body System / Area

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the 50 common blood tests, their abbreviations, targeted body systems, and what each evaluates.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Hematologic/Blood test that evaluates RBCs, WBCs, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.

Ferritin

Hematologic/Blood test that evaluates stored iron.

Serum Iron (Fe)

Hematologic/Blood test that evaluates circulating iron.

Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC)

Hematologic/Blood test that evaluates iron-binding/transport capacity.

Vitamin B12 (B12)

Hematologic/Blood test that evaluates RBC production and neurologic function.

Folate

Hematologic/Blood test that evaluates RBC production and DNA synthesis.

ABO/Rh Blood Typing (ABO/Rh)

Hematologic/Blood test that evaluates ABO and Rh blood group.

Lipid Panel

Cardiovascular / Heart test that evaluates cholesterol and triglycerides.

Troponin (cTn/Tn)

Cardiovascular / Heart test that evaluates heart muscle injury.

B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)

Cardiovascular / Heart test that evaluates cardiac strain/heart failure.

Creatine Kinase (CK)

Cardiovascular / Heart test that evaluates muscle injury; may assist in evaluating cardiac or skeletal muscle injury.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

Renal / Kidney test that evaluates nitrogen waste/kidney function.

Creatinine (Cr)

Renal / Kidney test that evaluates kidney filtration/function.

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)

Renal / Kidney test that evaluates estimated kidney filtration.

Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)

Renal/Kidney test that evaluates glucose, electrolytes, and kidney function.

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

Hepatic/Liver test that evaluates liver cell injury.

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

Hepatic/Liver test that evaluates liver and muscle cell injury.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) [Hepatic/Liver]

Hepatic/Liver test that evaluates liver/bile ducts and bone.

Total Bilirubin (TBili)

Hepatic/Liver test that evaluates RBC breakdown and liver processing.

Direct Bilirubin (DBili)

Hepatic/Liver test that evaluates conjugated bilirubin/liver and biliary processing.

Albumin (ALB)

Hepatic/Liver test that evaluates liver protein production and fluid balance.

Total Protein (TP)

Hepatic/Liver test that evaluates albumin and globulin proteins.

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Endocrine/Thyroid test that evaluates thyroid regulation/function.

Free Thyroxine (Free T4)

Endocrine/Thyroid test that evaluates circulating thyroid hormone.

Glucose

Endocrine/Metabolic test that evaluates blood glucose level.

Hemoglobin A1C (A1C/HbA1c)

Endocrine/Metabolic test that evaluates average blood glucose over about 2-3 months.

Cortisol

Endocrine/Adrenal test that evaluates adrenal function.

Calcium (Ca)

Skeletal/Bone test that evaluates bone, muscle, and nerve function.

25-Hydroxy Vitamin D (25-OH D)

Skeletal/Bone test that evaluates vitamin D status and bone/calcium metabolism.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) [Skeletal/Bone]

Skeletal/Bone test that evaluates bone activity and liver/bile ducts.

Magnesium (Mg2)

Skeletal/Bone test that evaluates muscle, nerve, and cardiac function.

Prothrombin Time (PT)

Coagulation / Clotting test that evaluates extrinsic/common coagulation pathway.

International Normalized Ratio (INR)

Coagulation / Clotting test that evaluates standardized PT; used for clotting/warfarin monitoring.

Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT/PTT)

Coagulation/Clotting test that evaluates intrinsic/common coagulation pathway.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

Immune/Inflammatory test that evaluates systemic inflammation.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

Immune / Inflammatory test that evaluates general/systemic inflammation.

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)

Infectious Disease test that evaluates current hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis C Antibody (Anti-HCV)

Infectious Disease test that evaluates exposure to hepatitis C.

HIV-1/2 Antigen/Antibody (HIV Ag/Ab)

Infectious Disease test that evaluates HIV infection.

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)

Reproductive test that evaluates prostate-related conditions.

Testosterone

Reproductive test that evaluates androgen/reproductive endocrine status.

Estradiol (E2)

Reproductive test that evaluates estrogen activity.

Progesterone

Reproductive test that evaluates reproductive cycle/pregnancy function.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

Reproductive test that evaluates pregnancy.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Reproductive test that evaluates reproductive function.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Reproductive test that evaluates ovulation/testosterone regulation.

Sodium (Na)

Electrolyte / Fluid Balance test that evaluates fluid and electrolyte balance.

Potassium (K■)

Electrolyte / Fluid Balance test that evaluates nerve, muscle, and cardiac function.

Chloride (CI)

Electrolyte / Fluid Balance test that evaluates fluid and acid-base balance.

Carbon Dioxide / Bicarbonate (CO/HCO)

Respiratory / Acid-Base test that evaluates acid-base balance.