Final answer:
The Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) is a blood test measuring substances indicating the health of the liver, kidneys, and more. It includes tests for ALT, AST, BUN, creatinine, and various electrolytes. Abnormal results can prompt further testing, including urine collection and hepatitis serological tests.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) is a comprehensive blood test that measures various substances in the blood that can indicate the status of your liver, kidney, and other organs. For instance, liver function can be gleaned from levels of substances such as alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin. Specifically, the CMP checks for sodium, creatinine, potassium, glucose, chloride, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), calcium, CO2, total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, ALT, and AST. Elevated levels of these substances can suggest a possible liver problem and warrant further testing.
To assess renal function, the CMP includes tests for BUN and creatinine, as kidneys that aren't working properly may result in higher levels of these substances in the blood. Additionally, other substances such as glucose, and electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride are also checked to monitor various bodily functions.
Moreover, a CMP can also lead to other investigations such as a 24-hour urine collection to measure daily urinary volume and minerals or a hepatitis virus serological test panel for detecting hepatitis viruses. A thorough understanding of the CMP and its components is critical in the diagnosis and monitoring of various health conditions.