NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

In which part of the lab is a CMP performed?

1. Microbiology

2. Chemistry

3. Hematology

4. Blood bank

The correct answer is: Chemistry

A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) is a group of blood tests that provides important information about the body's metabolism, including the health of the liver, kidneys, and electrolyte balance, as well as blood sugar levels and protein levels. The laboratory section that handles these types of tests is the Chemistry department. The Chemistry lab specializes in analyzing blood and body fluids to measure substances like glucose, electrolytes, enzymes, and hormones, which are crucial for assessing metabolic functions. The CMP is fundamentally a chemistry test because it involves measuring chemicals in the blood. In contrast, other laboratory sections such as Microbiology focus on the identification of pathogens and infectious diseases, Hematology deals with blood cells and coagulation studies, and the Blood Bank is involved in the preparation and storage of blood products for transfusion. These areas do not perform the CMP, as their focus lies elsewhere in the spectrum of laboratory testing.