Final answer:
A routine chemistry panel is mainly run on serum or plasma with serum being plasma after clotting factors have been removed, and plasma obtained from anticoagulant-treated blood. Urine is also used but for different kinds of analyses such as routine urinalysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The routine chemistry panel is typically run on serum or plasma. Serum refers to the component of blood left after clotting factors have been removed from plasma. Plasma is obtained by collecting blood into tubes, usually containing an anticoagulant such as K2EDTA, and then centrifuging it to separate the plasma from the blood cells. The levels of various metabolites in plasma can be measured by chemical assay, while serum is used for tests that may include glucose levels among others. Urine samples are also often used, particularly for analyzing substances like sodium, potassium, and chloride with a routine urinalysis, and they require no preparation before analysis. More extensive urine tests might involve cultures to detect bacterial infections. However, certain ions like calcium and phosphate need a 24-hour urine collection due to variability in daily output.