Author Question: The MCV on a patient is calculated to be 115 fL and the MCHC is 35 g/dL. What, in general terms, ... (Read 92 times)

yoroshambo · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The MCV on a patient is calculated to be 115 fL and the MCHC is 35 g/dL. What, in general terms, must be true of the MCH if it is consistent with the previous two indices?

a. It is impossible to know.
b. It should be in the reference range.
c. It should be below reference range.
d. It should be above reference range.

Question 2

Which of the following could cause the microhematocrit to be falsely decreased?

a. Specimen contaminated with intravenous fluid
b. Trapped plasma from abnormally shaped red cells
c. Dehydration
d. Insufficient centrifugation

Ashley I · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The MCV is elevated, suggesting that the red cells are macrocytic. The actual weight of hemoglobin/red cell (the MCH) must therefore be elevated (above reference range) for the concentration of hemoglobin/volume (the MCHC) to be reference range.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Intravenous fluid in the specimen will dilute the cells, making the hematocrit falsely decreased. Trapped plasma from abnormally shaped red cells will elevate the microhematocrit. If a person is dehydrated, then he or she has lost plasma volume to extracellular space, and this falsely increases the microhematocrit. Insufficient centrifugation means that the red cells will not be maximally packed, and this too will falsely elevate the microhematocrit.