Which of the following components is NOT part of a CBC?

The correct answer is identified as coagulation factors because a complete blood count (CBC) is designed to evaluate the cellular components of blood specifically, and does not include coagulation factors. A CBC primarily measures the levels of erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and thrombocytes (platelets), which are essential for assessing overall blood health and diagnosing various medical conditions.

Coagulation factors, on the other hand, are proteins in blood plasma that are critical for blood clotting and are typically assessed through separate tests, such as a prothrombin time (PT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). These assays measure the functioning of the coagulation system rather than the counts or concentrations of the cellular components which are the focus of the CBC. Understanding this distinction helps clarify why coagulation factors are not included in a CBC, as they pertain to a different aspect of hematology.