American Medical Technologist (AMT) Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Resource to Guarantee Exam Success!

Blood cultures are primarily used to test for septicemia, which is a serious bloodstream infection that can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition. The procedure involves taking a sample of blood from a patient and placing it in a culture medium to promote the growth of bacteria or fungi. If any microorganisms are present in the blood, they will multiply in the culture and can then be identified in the lab.

This test is critical because septicemia can arise from infections elsewhere in the body, and its timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent severe complications. Identifying the specific pathogens causing an infection allows healthcare providers to choose the most effective antimicrobial therapy.

The other options are not relevant to the function of blood cultures. Hemoglobin levels are measured through different blood tests, cholesterol levels involve lipid panel tests, and diabetes is typically diagnosed through glucose testing and hemoglobin A1c assessments. Blood cultures specifically address the presence of infections in the bloodstream, making detection of septicemia their primary purpose.