Final answer:
A Complete blood count (CBC) is a key laboratory test that can indicate generalized inflammation due to elevated white blood cell levels. While the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test is important for assessing kidney function, it is not a direct marker of inflammation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When teaching a newly licensed nurse about laboratory tests that can indicate generalized inflammation, it is important to include the Complete blood count (CBC) as part of the teaching. A CBC can reveal elevated levels of white blood cells, which may indicate an infection or inflammation. Another important test is the blood urea nitrogen (BUN), which is an estimate of urea in the blood and is used to assess kidney function, though it is not specifically a marker for inflammation. While BUN can indicate a problem with kidney function, it is not directly associated with inflammation and therefore might not be as relevant for this particular teaching. Other relevant tests to consider are Liver function tests (LFTs), including assessments for enzymes like alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), which can indicate liver inflammation and damage.