What blood test abbreviation indicates a count used to evaluate infections or anemia?

The correct choice is the abbreviation that refers to a complete blood count, commonly known as CBC. This test provides a comprehensive analysis of various blood components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. It is instrumental in evaluating overall health and diagnosing conditions such as infections, anemias, and blood disorders.

When a complete blood count is performed, it helps healthcare providers not only assess the levels of white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting infections, but also the red blood cells that are essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Anemia can be identified through specific components measured in this test, particularly looking at hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.

The other abbreviations serve more specific purposes: RBC (red blood cells) measures only that component, WBC (white blood cells) focuses solely on immune response and infection, and HCT (hematocrit) refers to the proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells. While these tests provide valuable information, they do not offer the comprehensive evaluation that a complete blood count does.