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What is the Lab Name for Red Blood Cell (RBC) Lab Values?

Red Blood Cell

What is the Lab Abbreviation for Red Blood Cell?

RBC

What is Red Blood Cell in terms of Nursing Labs?

Red Blood Cells (RBCs) contain hemoglobin which is responsible for oxygen transport throughout the body. RBCs are primarily produced in the bone marrow, they have a life span of 120 days and are destroyed in the spleen and liver. RBC production is regulated by erythropoietin (EPO) which is produced and released from the kidneys.

What is the Normal Range for Red Blood Cell?

Male: 4.5 – 5.5 x106/cells/mm3 Female: 4.0 – 4.9 x106/cells/mm3

What are the Indications for Red Blood Cell?

• Identify:
  • Anemia
  • Blood loss

What would cause Increased Levels of Red Blood Cell?

• Dehydration
• Polycythemia Vera
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• High altitude
• Congenital heart disease
• CorPulmonale
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Thalassemia trait

What would cause Decreased Levels of Red Blood Cell?

• Chemotherapy
• Anemia
• Hemorrhage
• Hemolysis
• Hemoglobinopathy
• Advanced cancer
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Pernicious anemia
• Rheumatoid disease
• Organ failure
• Bone marrow failure
• Hypervolemia
• Pregnancy