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Multiple Choice
What does the hematocrit measure?
A
The concentration of hemoglobin in the blood
B
The total volume of blood in the body
C
The number of white blood cells in the blood
D
The percentage of red blood cells in the blood
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the term 'hematocrit': Hematocrit is a measure used in medicine to determine the proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells.
Recognize the components of blood: Blood is composed of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Hematocrit specifically focuses on the red blood cells.
Identify the purpose of measuring hematocrit: It helps assess the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, as red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which transports oxygen.
Differentiate hematocrit from other blood measurements: Unlike hemoglobin concentration, total blood volume, or white blood cell count, hematocrit specifically measures the percentage of red blood cells.
Conclude with the correct definition: Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood, which is crucial for evaluating conditions like anemia or polycythemia.