If a patient's red blood cell count is 5 million/mm^3, what is the expected Hematocrit percentage?

To determine the expected hematocrit percentage based on the red blood cell (RBC) count, it's important to understand the typical values for these parameters. Hematocrit reflects the proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells and is often expressed as a percentage.

In healthy individuals, normal hematocrit levels generally range from approximately 40% to 45% for men and from about 37% to 44% for women. A commonly used estimation relates the red blood cell count to hematocrit, suggesting that hematocrit is roughly three times the RBC count in millions per microliter. Therefore, for a red blood cell count of 5 million/mm^3, a hematocrit percentage can be estimated as follows:

5 million/mm^3 x 3 = 15%

However, this result represents the concentration of the red blood cells in the blood, and must be correctly positioned within the context of the corresponding hematocrit value. Given this count falls into the typical range, a hematocrit around 45% (which associates more closely with the values given in the choices) fits well with the physiological norms observed in individuals with a red blood cell count at that level.

Thus, a