Basic Metabolic Panel, Plasma
This is a plasma-based version of the Basic Metabolic Panel, measuring a group of analytes that cover electrolyte balance, glucose, kidney status, and acid-base balance, plus a calculated eGFR.
About this panel
The panel reports sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide (bicarbonate), glucose, calcium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), along with the BUN/creatinine ratio. It is commonly ordered as part of a routine health examination or physical, and during hospital or emergency-room admission, including monitoring of people managing conditions such as hypertension.
Individual analytes within the panel are each measured using their own method.
Who might consider this panel?
- Results are read as a pattern across the panel rather than any single value alone.
What's included
10 analytes, ordered together in a single draw.
- BUN/CREATININE RATIO
- CALCIUM
- CARBON DIOXIDE
- CHLORIDE
- CREATININE
- EGFR
- GLUCOSE
- POTASSIUM
- SODIUM
- UREA NITROGEN (BUN)
Test details
| Quest code | 90841 |
|---|---|
| Methodology | See individual tests |
| Sample type | 1 mL plasma |
| Patient preparation | Fast before your blood draw if you can; water is fine. |
| Collection | Quest patient service center |
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Quest resources
Additional details
What this test looks at
The panel reports sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide, glucose, calcium, BUN, creatinine, eGFR, and the BUN/creatinine ratio, the same set of markers as a standard BMP, collected in plasma rather than serum.
How it's often used alongside other tests
Because it reports several markers together, results are typically evaluated as a pattern rather than singly. Changes across sodium, potassium, calcium, and the kidney-related markers are read together, since a single abnormal result can mean something different than multiple abnormal results.
Order online and a physician order is included — no doctor's visit and no insurance needed. Your sample is collected at a Quest Diagnostics patient service center.
Laboratory results should always be interpreted by a licensed clinician who knows your health history. This page is information about a test, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does this panel measure?
It measures sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide, glucose, calcium, BUN, creatinine, and eGFR, plus the BUN/creatinine ratio, reflecting electrolyte balance, glucose, kidney status, and acid-base balance.
How is the sample collected?
This version uses 1 mL of plasma, collected in a lithium heparin (green-top) tube, through a routine blood draw.
Do I need to prepare for this test?
Fast before your blood draw if you can; water is fine. This is the preparation Quest publishes for this test; if your clinician gives you different instructions, follow theirs.
How is this different from the standard Basic Metabolic Panel?
It measures the same set of analytes, but the sample is collected as plasma in a lithium heparin tube rather than as serum.
How much does the Basic Metabolic Panel, Plasma test cost?
The cash price at Celio Health is $20. That covers the physician's order and sample collection at a Quest patient service center — no insurance is needed and there's no separate doctor's visit to pay for.