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If a physician suspects an infection, which test is most appropriate to order?

  1. Glucose

  2. Complete blood count (CBC)

  3. Antinuclear antibody (ANA)

  4. Cholesterol

The correct answer is: Complete blood count (CBC)

When a physician suspects an infection, the most appropriate test to order is a complete blood count (CBC). This test provides crucial information about various components of the blood, including white blood cells (WBCs), which play a significant role in the body's immune response to infections. An elevated white blood cell count, especially with a predominance of neutrophils, can indicate the presence of an infection. The other tests listed do not directly assess for infections. For instance, glucose testing is primarily concerned with determining blood sugar levels, which is important for managing diabetes, but it does not provide information related to infections. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing is used to detect autoimmune disorders and is not relevant in assessing infections. Cholesterol tests are utilized for evaluating cardiovascular risk and do not have a role in diagnosing infections. Therefore, the complete blood count is the most relevant and informative test in this context.