Hematocrit is best described as which of the following?

Study for the NATA BOC Domain 2 Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis Test. Utilize our comprehensive flashcards and multiple-choice quiz features; each question comes with hints and thorough explanations. Prepare effectively for your certification exam!

Multiple Choice

Hematocrit is best described as which of the following?

Explanation:
Hematocrit tells you what fraction of blood’s volume is made up of red blood cells. It is the RBC volume divided by the total blood volume, usually expressed as a percentage. This is typically determined by spinning a blood sample in a capillary tube so the red cells pack at the bottom and dividing that packed-cell column height by the total column height. This measure is not the plasma volume, nor is it the rate at which RBCs are destroyed, and it’s not simply the total number of RBCs. The hematocrit reflects how much of the blood is occupied by red cells as a proportion, rather than counting how many red cells there are or how quickly they’re being broken down. So the description that fits best is the proportion of red blood cells to the total blood volume. Normal ranges are roughly 40–54% in men and 36–48% in women, with variations based on hydration and altitude.

Hematocrit tells you what fraction of blood’s volume is made up of red blood cells. It is the RBC volume divided by the total blood volume, usually expressed as a percentage. This is typically determined by spinning a blood sample in a capillary tube so the red cells pack at the bottom and dividing that packed-cell column height by the total column height.

This measure is not the plasma volume, nor is it the rate at which RBCs are destroyed, and it’s not simply the total number of RBCs. The hematocrit reflects how much of the blood is occupied by red cells as a proportion, rather than counting how many red cells there are or how quickly they’re being broken down.

So the description that fits best is the proportion of red blood cells to the total blood volume. Normal ranges are roughly 40–54% in men and 36–48% in women, with variations based on hydration and altitude.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy