In the ED, blood is withdrawn from the vein and into a test tube. The packed cell volume (RBCs) is 1.45 ml, and the plasma volume is 3.55 ml. Calculate Maggie's hematocrit in the ED. CHEGG

1.45 + 3.55 = 5.0 (total blood volume); 1.45/5.0 * 100 = 29% (low),

Explanation:

HCT is calculated as:

HCT = Volume of red blood cells / (Volume of red blood cells + volume of plasma) x 100

1.45 + 3.55 = 5.0 (total blood volume); 1.45/5.0 * 100 = 29% (low), normal range for an adult female HCT ranges from 38 to 46% (some sources claim 34.9-44.5%).

*for calculating this, one must know two of these three values: packed cell volume, total blood volume, plasma volume.

Total blood volume = Packed cell volume + plasma volume.