In hematology, what condition is typically assessed by a complete blood count (CBC)?

A complete blood count (CBC) is a comprehensive blood test that provides essential information about the cellular components of the blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This test is primarily used to assess various hematologic conditions, making it an invaluable tool for diagnosing and managing issues such as anemia, infections, and clotting disorders.

Anemia, which involves a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells, is often detected through parameters measured in a CBC, including hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Additionally, the CBC can reveal changes in white blood cell counts that may indicate infections or leukemias. The platelet count can also provide insight into bleeding disorders or the body’s clotting ability.

In contrast, high blood pressure is evaluated through a measurement of blood pressure rather than components of the blood itself, while diabetes mellitus is diagnosed through specific blood glucose tests. Vitamin deficiencies, while sometimes reflected indirectly in a CBC (for example, through certain types of anemia), are typically assessed through targeted nutritional blood tests rather than a complete blood count. Therefore, the most accurate context for what a CBC assesses focuses on hematologic conditions, justifying that the answer correctly identifies conditions like anemia and infection as primary concerns evaluated through this test.