Which blood test evaluates kidney function through measuring nitrogen compounds?

The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test is specifically designed to evaluate kidney function by measuring the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from urea, a waste product formed from protein metabolism. The kidneys are responsible for filtering urea from the blood, and when they are not functioning optimally, the levels of urea in the blood can increase, indicating a potential issue with kidney health.

This test plays an important role in diagnosing and monitoring kidney diseases, as well as assessing kidney function in individuals who may have conditions affecting their kidneys or patients undergoing certain medical treatments. While creatinine is also a valuable marker for kidney function, the BUN test distinctly measures the nitrogen component, providing a different but complementary perspective on kidney health.

In contrast, an electrolyte panel focuses on measuring the levels of various electrolytes in the blood, while liver function tests target the assessment of the liver’s ability to perform its functions and do not directly evaluate kidney function. Therefore, the BUN test is specially designed for this purpose, making it the correct choice in this context.