Hemoglobin and Hematocrit Quiz

What is the approximate level of reduced hemoglobin at which cyanosis becomes apparent?

What is the typical hemoglobin content range for normal adult males?

What causes the bluish/grayish tinge in tissues known as cyanosis?

Which color does hemoglobin molecule turn into when saturated with oxygen?

At what percentage of oxygen saturation does an SaO2 of 85% occur?

What is true regarding central and peripheral cyanosis based on the text?

КӀэджехьам ды зэркӀагъэф къафӀохуэр къумыхьалэм?

Тыкъур кӀэщыркӀагъэф къумыхьалэм?

Черги аджыл бугъ зэркӀагъэф дирехьекӀу?

Пульсус парадоксус зэркӀам тхьастам ду?

Кинагъадж золуштыгъун ичин къумыхьалэм?

Интравенозал денам золуштыгъун ичин къумыхьалэм?

Hemoglobin and Hematocrit

Normal adult males have a hemoglobin content of 13.5-16.5 g/dl and a hematocrit of 40-54%.
Normal adult females have a hemoglobin content of 12-15 g/dl and a hematocrit of 38-47%.

Oxygen Saturation and Hemoglobin

Oxygen saturation changes the shape of the hemoglobin molecule, turning it bright red.
Releasing oxygen desaturates the hemoglobin, changing its shape and turning it a darker red or purple.

Cyanosis

Cyanosis is apparent when capillary blood contains more than twice the normal amount of reduced hemoglobin (about 5-6 g/dl).
5 g/dl of reduced hemoglobin is produced when SaO2 drops to about 85%, equivalent to PaO2 of about 50 mm Hg.
Normal people have about 2 g/dl of reduced hemoglobin in their blood.

Pulsus Paradoxus

Pulsus paradoxus is a palpation finding characterized by a pulse that is simultaneously slight and irregular, disappearing during inspiration and returning during expiration.
It is defined as a decrease in systolic arterial pressure of >10 mmHg during spontaneous inspiration.
The exact physical mechanism of pulsus paradoxus is unknown, but one theory suggests:
- Changes in intrathoracic pressure during spontaneous breathing affect the heart and great vessels.
- During inspiration, the right ventricle distends due to increased venous return, causing the interventricular septum to bulge into the left ventricle.
- This reduces the left ventricular stroke volume, resulting in decreased blood ejected with each beat.

Test your knowledge on hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in normal adult males and females, as well as how hemoglobin molecule shape changes with oxygen saturation. Explore the connection between hemoglobin content, hematocrit levels, and blood color.