What would testing for electrolyte levels fall under?

Testing for electrolyte levels is categorized under clinical chemistry. This aspect of laboratory medicine focuses on analyzing body fluids to assess multiple biochemical components, including electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. These measurements are essential for diagnosing or monitoring a variety of medical conditions, especially those related to kidney function, heart health, and hydration status.

Clinical chemistry encompasses a broad range of testing techniques and methods that analyze serum, plasma, and urine samples to evaluate metabolic function and disease processes. Electrolyte levels are crucial indicators of physiological balance and can provide insights into the body's homeostasis, making their accurate measurement vital in clinical settings.

The other categories, such as hematology, focus primarily on blood components and the immune system, transfusion medicine is oriented towards blood transfusions and compatibility, while microbiology deals with the identification and study of pathogens and infectious diseases. Thus, they are not relevant when it comes to electrolyte analysis.