Which component of blood is primarily assessed in a complete blood count (CBC)?

In a complete blood count (CBC), the primary focus is on the enumeration and assessment of blood cells. This includes measuring the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Each of these components provides essential information regarding an individual's overall health and can help in diagnosing various medical conditions.

Red blood cells are crucial for oxygen transport, white blood cells play a vital role in the immune response, and platelets are important for blood clotting. By analyzing these parameters, healthcare providers can detect conditions such as anemia, infections, and bleeding disorders.

While cholesterol levels, enzyme activity, and plasma protein concentrations are important components of various other blood tests, they are not part of a CBC. The CBC specifically focuses on cellular elements rather than the biochemical components of blood. Thus, the assessment of blood cell counts is the fundamental aspect of a complete blood count.