What does the acronym "BUN" measure in a medical context?

The acronym "BUN" stands for Blood Urea Nitrogen, which is a medical test commonly used to assess kidney function. This test measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from urea, a waste product formed in the liver after the body breaks down protein. Elevated BUN levels can indicate that the kidneys are not functioning optimally, possibly due to conditions such as dehydration, kidney disease, or urinary tract obstruction. Monitoring BUN levels is essential in evaluating kidney health and can provide valuable information about a patient’s overall metabolic status. This is why Blood Urea Nitrogen is the correct choice in the context of medical measurements.