Which parameters are directly measured in a complete blood count (CBC)?

In a complete blood count (CBC), several parameters are assessed to provide an overview of a patient's hematologic status. The correct selection highlights the components that are directly measured.

The parameters within a CBC that are directly measured include Red Blood Cells (RBC), Hemoglobin (HgB), and Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV).

• RBC quantifies the number of red blood cells in a given volume of blood, providing insight into conditions such as anemia or polycythemia.

• Hemoglobin measurement reflects the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, serving as a critical marker in diagnosing various health issues related to oxygen transport.

• MCV calculates the average volume of individual red blood cells, helping classify anemias based on cell size, which is essential for determining the underlying causes of a patient's condition.

Other parameters in a CBC, like Platelets (PLT), Hematocrit (HCT), and Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW), can provide valuable information but may not be directly measured in every CBC report. Some of them may be calculated based on the primary measurements, which distinguishes the selection provided as the correct answer.