Chapter 42, Problem 1.1CT

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

The effect on hematocrit of a person moving from Portland, Oregon to Denver, Colorado.

Introduction:

The hematocrit is the percentage of blood volume composed of red blood cells. When heparinized blood sample left undisturbed the heavier cellular component settles to the bottom of the tube. The red blood cells settle at the bottom as red layer is called compacted red blood cells. The percentage of compacted red blood cells in the blood sample is called hematocrit. The hematocrit value differs in people living in different altitude.