June 19, 2023

Hematocrit (Hct) Lab Values

5 minutes

Overview

Nursing Points General

Normal value range
1. HCT measured in percentage
2. Males – 41-50%
3. Females – 36-44%
Pathophysiology
1. Measurement of total pRBCs compared to rest of blood volume
2. Helps to indicate anemia
3. Often measured with HGB (hemoglobin)
Special considerations
1. Lavender top tube (EDTA)
2. Be cautious with technique
  1. Do not force sample into tube
  2. Can cause hemolysis
  3. Alters results
Causes of HCT elevation
1. Dehydration
  1. Change in % compared to total blood volume
2. Respiratory disease
  1. COPD
  2. Pulmonary fibrosis
    1. Increased need for oxygen -> increased need for RBC production
3. Polycythemia vera
  1. RBC overproduction due to bone marrow cancer
  2. Treatment includes bloodletting and increasing water consumption (also some medications)
Causes of decreased HCT
1. Blood loss
  1. Trauma
  2. Hemorrhage
  3. Treatment
    1. Stop bleeding
    2. Transfuse blood
2. Anemia
  1. Kidney disease
    1. Decrease in EPO production
    2. Treatment
      1. Supplement with EPO
  2. Pregnancy
    1. Relative to increase total blood volume
3. Leukemia
  1. Decreased bone marrow production causes ↓ RBC
  2. Treat leukemia via oncology pathways
    1. Chemotherapy
    2. Radiation
    3. Bone marrow transplant

Assessment

Therapeutic Management

Nursing Concepts

...more

By Jon Haws RN: Critical Care Nurse & NCLEX Educator

4.3

127127 ratings

June 19, 2023

5 minutes

Overview

Nursing Points General

Normal value range
1. HCT measured in percentage
2. Males – 41-50%
3. Females – 36-44%
Pathophysiology
1. Measurement of total pRBCs compared to rest of blood volume
2. Helps to indicate anemia
3. Often measured with HGB (hemoglobin)
Special considerations
1. Lavender top tube (EDTA)
2. Be cautious with technique
  1. Do not force sample into tube
  2. Can cause hemolysis
  3. Alters results
Causes of HCT elevation
1. Dehydration
  1. Change in % compared to total blood volume
2. Respiratory disease
  1. COPD
  2. Pulmonary fibrosis
    1. Increased need for oxygen -> increased need for RBC production
3. Polycythemia vera
  1. RBC overproduction due to bone marrow cancer
  2. Treatment includes bloodletting and increasing water consumption (also some medications)
Causes of decreased HCT
1. Blood loss
  1. Trauma
  2. Hemorrhage
  3. Treatment
    1. Stop bleeding
    2. Transfuse blood
2. Anemia
  1. Kidney disease
    1. Decrease in EPO production
    2. Treatment
      1. Supplement with EPO
  2. Pregnancy
    1. Relative to increase total blood volume
3. Leukemia
  1. Decreased bone marrow production causes ↓ RBC
  2. Treat leukemia via oncology pathways
    1. Chemotherapy
    2. Radiation
    3. Bone marrow transplant