In chronic kidney disease, which routine test is most appropriate to assess proteinuria and kidney function?

• A. Complete blood count
• B. 24-hour urine collection
• C. Serum calcium
• D. Liver function tests

Answer: (B)

Measuring how much protein is lost in the urine over a full day directly reflects glomerular injury and helps gauge CKD severity and progression. A 24-hour urine collection provides a complete, quantitative measure of protein excretion, giving a reliable assessment of proteinuria and, with the urine sample’s creatinine, a reasonable estimate of kidney function. Other tests don’t quantify protein loss or kidney filtration: a complete blood count looks for anemia common in CKD but doesn’t measure proteinuria; serum calcium checks mineral bone disorder risk rather than protein loss; liver function tests assess hepatic status. So, quantifying daily protein excretion with a 24-hour urine collection is the most appropriate routine test for proteinuria and kidney function in CKD.