Word parts
What it means
Part of the complete blood countkum-PLEET blud kowntA common blood test that counts and measures the red cells, white cells and platelets in the blood.Full entry . When blood is spun, the red cells settle to the bottom; the hematocrit is their share of the total. It is usually about three times the hemoglobinHEE-muh-gloh-binThe iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and the blood test that measures it.hem/o bloodglobin proteinFull entry number. It falls with anemiauh-NEE-mee-uhA lower than normal number of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin in the blood.a- without, lacking-emia blood conditionFull entry and blood loss and rises with dehydration (less fluid) and with conditions that make too many red cells.
For the nurse
Read it with the client's fluid status: a high value may mean dehydration, and a value may look normal right after sudden bleeding until fluids are given. Report a falling value along with signs of bleeding.
At a glance
| Normal range | Male 42–52% [0.42–0.52]; female 37–47% [0.37–0.47]; each lab sets its own reference range. |
|---|---|
| Abbreviations | Hct; PCV (packed cell volume) |
| Spanish | hematocrito |
| Also written | haematocrit, Hct, packed cell volume, PCV |
Related terms
dehydration
A state in which the body has lost more water than it has taken in.
hemoglobin
The iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and the blood test that measures it.
anemia
A lower than normal number of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin in the blood.
red blood cell
A blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues; also called an erythrocyte.
complete blood count
A common blood test that counts and measures the red cells, white cells and platelets in the blood.