12 Questions
What is the normal range of red blood cell count for men?
4.6–6.0 million/μL
What is the component of hemoglobin that contains iron?
Heme
What is the unit of measurement for hematocrit?
Percentage
What is the term for the mean or average size of individual RBCs?
Mean corpuscular volume
Which of the following conditions may cause a decrease in hematocrit?
Pernicious anemia
Which of the following may cause an increase in red blood cell count?
Polycythemia vera
What is the primary purpose of measuring hematocrit in a patient?
To evaluate the percentage of RBCs in the plasma
A patient with a high red blood cell count is likely to have which of the following conditions?
Polycythemia vera
What is the main difference between hemoglobin and hematocrit?
Hemoglobin is a measure of RBC concentration, while hematocrit is a measure of RBC percentage
A patient with a low mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is likely to have which of the following conditions?
Iron deficiency anemia
What is the effect of dehydration on red blood cell count?
It increases the red blood cell count
A patient with chronic liver disease is likely to have which of the following?
An increase in MCV
Study Notes
Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count
- Normal RBC count ranges: 4.6-6.0 million/μL for men, 4.0-5.0 million/μL for women
- Increased RBC count associated with: dehydration, polycythemia vera, high altitude, cardiovascular disease, blood loss, anemias, leukemias, chronic renal failure, pregnancy
Hemoglobin (HGB)
- Composed of heme (contains iron) and globin proteins
- Normal HGB levels: 13.5-18 g/dL for men, 12-15 g/dL for women
- Elevated HGB levels associated with: polycythemia, dehydration, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, blood loss, anemias, kidney diseases, cancers
Hematocrit (HCT)
- Measures percentage of RBCs in plasma
- Normal HCT ranges: 40-54% for men, 36-46% for women
- Increased HCT associated with: dehydration, hypovolemia, diabetic acidosis, burns, acute blood loss, pregnancy, dietary deficiencies, anemias
- Decreased HCT associated with anemias
Red Blood Cell Indices
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
- Measures average size of individual RBCs (80-98 μm3)
- Increased MCV associated with: chronic liver disease, pernicious anemia, iron deficiency anemia, lead poisoning
Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count
- Normal RBC count ranges: 4.6-6.0 million/μL for men, 4.0-5.0 million/μL for women
- Increased RBC count associated with: dehydration, polycythemia vera, high altitude, cardiovascular disease, blood loss, anemias, leukemias, chronic renal failure, pregnancy
Hemoglobin (HGB)
- Composed of heme (contains iron) and globin proteins
- Normal HGB levels: 13.5-18 g/dL for men, 12-15 g/dL for women
- Elevated HGB levels associated with: polycythemia, dehydration, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, blood loss, anemias, kidney diseases, cancers
Hematocrit (HCT)
- Measures percentage of RBCs in plasma
- Normal HCT ranges: 40-54% for men, 36-46% for women
- Increased HCT associated with: dehydration, hypovolemia, diabetic acidosis, burns, acute blood loss, pregnancy, dietary deficiencies, anemias
- Decreased HCT associated with anemias
Red Blood Cell Indices
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
- Measures average size of individual RBCs (80-98 μm3)
- Increased MCV associated with: chronic liver disease, pernicious anemia, iron deficiency anemia, lead poisoning
This quiz covers normal ranges and abnormal associations of red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels, including factors affecting their values.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
