Final answer:
The BUN test is commonly used with the plasma creatinine test to evaluate kidney function, with both tests providing critical information about renal health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) test is typically used in conjunction with the plasma creatinine test to assess kidney function. Both BUN and creatinine levels are important indicators of renal health. The BUN test estimates the amount of urea in the blood, which is formed in the liver and excreted by the kidneys.
Blood urea levels are typically in the range of 15-40 mg/dL under normal conditions. On the other hand, plasma creatinine, a waste product of muscle metabolism, is also filtered out by the kidneys, and normal levels range from 0.8-1.2 mg/dL for males and 0.6-0.9 mg/dL for females.
Together, these tests provide a more comprehensive picture of kidney function than either test would individually. An increased BUN or creatinine level may suggest impaired kidney function, whereas low levels could be due to conditions like reduced muscle mass or inadequate protein intake.