Which condition is assessed by the WBC in a complete blood count?

The assessment of white blood cells (WBC) in a complete blood count (CBC) primarily evaluates conditions related to the immune system, particularly infections and malignancies. When there is a significant increase or decrease in white blood cell count, it can indicate the presence of infections as the body responds by producing more WBCs to fight off pathogens. Similarly, certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, can lead to abnormal white blood cell counts or the presence of atypical cells, which can be detected through this evaluation.

In contrast, anemia evaluation focuses on red blood cells and hemoglobin levels to assess oxygen-carrying capacity rather than white blood cells, which are more indicative of the body's immune response. Blood coagulation tests involve a different set of parameters aimed at understanding the clotting process and do not directly relate to WBC counts. Assessing electrolyte disturbances involves testing serum electrolyte levels, which also does not include WBC assessment. Therefore, the role of WBC counts in a CBC is specifically tied to monitoring the body's ability to respond to infections and the presence of malignancies.