What blood tests are taken in the ER?

A visit to the ER wouldn’t be complete without some type of test. The basic blood tests you might encounter include:  
Complete Blood Count (CBC) — they are ordered “ stat”  STAT comes from the Latin word “statim” which means immediately. A CBC provides a general picture of your blood levels. It’s typically ordered for complaints such as fatigue, weakness, inflammation, bruising, fever and bleeding. It is an automated count of the cells in your blood that includes information on the number, shape and size of your cells. A standard CBC includes eight pieces of information. White Blood Cell (WBC) — count helps to identify infection, immune problems, cancer and leukemia. If the numbers are high or low, further testing is usually required.Red Blood Cell (RBC) — count helps to identify anemia if decreased.Hemoglobin (HGB) — measures the oxygen-carrying proteins in the blood. When low, it indicates blood loss and anemia which can be life-threatening. Hematocrit (HCT) — measures the percentage of red blood cells in a given volume of blood. Again, if the level is low, anemia is indicated. Platelets — looked at to identify problems related to bleeding and clotting.
Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)—checks the electrolyte and mineral levels in the blood that are so important for keeping your muscles, heart, kidneys and other organs working properly. Included here is your level of: Sodium (Na), Potassium(K), Chloride (Cl), Creatine (Cr), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Bicarbonate(HCO3), Glucose (Glu)  

If your care involves going to the operating room, blood tests will be necessary and possibly an ECG. 
TIP: Don’t bother to ask for routine exams like your Pap smear or prostrate exam or to have your prescriptions refilled. Now is not the time to deal with these issues. We’re focusing on the problem that brought you into the ER.