CBC
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Complete blood count |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Medical, Government & Politics, Organizations & Companies |
CBC has three meanings. The most common are Complete blood count (laboratory test) and Congressional Black Caucus (political); it can also stand for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Meanings of CBC at a glance
| # | CBC stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Complete blood count | Medical › Laboratory Test |
| 2 | Congressional Black Caucus | Government & Politics › Political |
| 3 | Canadian Broadcasting Corporation | Organizations & Companies › Media and Broadcasting |
1. Complete blood count
Medical · Laboratory Test Abbreviations
The most frequently ordered blood test, a CBC counts and sizes the three cell lines in a tube of blood: white cells, red cells (with hemoglobin, hematocrit and red cell indices) and platelets. It screens for anemia, infection, inflammation, bleeding risk and blood cancers, and automated analyzers return results within minutes.
Example: CBC this morning shows WBC 14.2 with a left shift, Hgb 9.8 and platelets 410; repeat in AM.
Pronounced as letters ("see-bee-see"). It is ordered without a differential (US billing code CPT 85027) or with an automated differential (CPT 85025), which adds the share of each white cell type. Blood is drawn into a lavender-top EDTA tube and fasting is not needed. In the UK, Ireland and Australia the same test is usually called an FBC (full blood count).
2. Congressional Black Caucus
Government & Politics · Political Abbreviations
Caucus of Black members of the US Congress, nearly all Democrats, that works on civil rights, economic opportunity and other issues affecting Black Americans. It is one of the largest caucuses within the House Democratic Caucus.
Example: The CBC chair called for a federal investigation into the shooting.
Founded in 1971 by 13 House members, including Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress. Its annual legislative conference in Washington is a major political and social event. Elsewhere CBC means the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and in medicine a complete blood count.
3. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Organizations & Companies · Media and Broadcasting Abbreviations
Canada's national public broadcaster, operating English-language television, radio and digital services, with French-language services under the Radio-Canada name. Headquartered in Ottawa.
Example: We watched the election results on CBC News.
Established on November 2, 1936, replacing an earlier radio commission. Hockey Night in Canada began on CBC radio in the 1930s and on TV in 1952. In medicine CBC means complete blood count.
Related abbreviations
More laboratory test abbreviations
- BUN – Blood urea nitrogen
- C&S – Culture and sensitivity
- Ca – Calcium
- CAP – College of American Pathologists
- CBC w/ diff – Complete blood count with differential
- Chem 7 – Seven-test chemistry panel
- CK – Creatine kinase
- CK-MB – Creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme
See all 135 laboratory test abbreviations →
More political abbreviations
- AOC – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- AVR – Automatic voter registration
- BBB – Build Back Better
- BOE – Board of Elections
- CPAC – Conservative Political Action Conference
- CPC – Congressional Progressive Caucus
- CR – Continuing resolution
- D – Democrat (party label)
See all 91 political abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.