Word parts
What it means
The protein that gives red blood cellred blud selA blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues; also called an erythrocyte.Full entry their color and carries oxygenOK-sih-jenA gas in the air that every cell needs, also given as a medicine at higher amounts than room air.Full entry from the lungs to the tissues. The blood test is part of a complete blood count. A low level is a sign of 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 , from blood loss, low iron or other causes; a high level can come from dehydration, living at high altitude or some lung and blood diseases.
For the nurse
Watch the trend after surgery, bleeding or a blood transfusionBLUD trans-FYOO-zhunGiving blood, or a part of blood, from a donor into a person's vein.trans- acrossfus/o pourFull entry . A client with a low level may be tired, pale, short of breath and dizzy, so help them stand and walk safely.
In a chart
"Hgb 7.2 g/dL, down from 9.8 g/dL post-op; provider notified."
At a glance
| Normal range | Male 14–18 g/dL [140–180 g/L]; female 12–16 g/dL [120–160 g/L] |
|---|---|
| Critical range | Below 5 or above 20 g/dL [below 50 or above 200 g/L]; each lab sets its own critical values. |
| Abbreviations | Hgb, Hb; H&H (hemoglobin and hematocrit); CBC (complete blood count) |
| Spanish | hemoglobina |
| Also written | Hb, Hgb, haemoglobin |
Related terms
oxygen
A gas in the air that every cell needs, also given as a medicine at higher amounts than room air.
anemia
A lower than normal number of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin in the blood.
hem/o
A word part that means blood.
blood transfusion
Giving blood, or a part of blood, from a donor into a person's vein.
red blood cell
A blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues; also called an erythrocyte.