Which statement about hematocrit values is true?

Which statement about hematocrit values is true?

• A. Male Hct normal range is 30–40%.
• B. Female Hct normal range is 50–60%.
• C. Hct is not used in clinical assessment.
• D. Normal adult male Hct range is approximately 40.7–50.3%

Answer: (D)

Hematocrit measures the proportion of blood that is made up of red blood cells and is a basic indicator clinicians use to assess oxygen-carrying capacity, anemia, and hydration status. For adults, the normal range differs by sex. A typical reference range for an adult male is about 40–54%, with many labs listing around 40.7–50.3% as a common interval. This makes the statement about normal adult male hematocrit being approximately 40.7–50.3% accurate. In contrast, the normal range for adult females is usually lower, commonly about 36–46% (roughly 35–47%), so a value of 50–60% would not be typical for females. Hematocrit is routinely used in clinical assessment; it helps identify anemia, polycythemia, or fluid shifts, and is interpreted alongside hemoglobin and red cell indices. Low hematocrit suggests reduced red cell mass or dilution, while high hematocrit points to increased red cell mass or dehydration.

Hematocrit measures the proportion of blood that is made up of red blood cells and is a basic indicator clinicians use to assess oxygen-carrying capacity, anemia, and hydration status. For adults, the normal range differs by sex. A typical reference range for an adult male is about 40–54%, with many labs listing around 40.7–50.3% as a common interval. This makes the statement about normal adult male hematocrit being approximately 40.7–50.3% accurate.

In contrast, the normal range for adult females is usually lower, commonly about 36–46% (roughly 35–47%), so a value of 50–60% would not be typical for females. Hematocrit is routinely used in clinical assessment; it helps identify anemia, polycythemia, or fluid shifts, and is interpreted alongside hemoglobin and red cell indices. Low hematocrit suggests reduced red cell mass or dilution, while high hematocrit points to increased red cell mass or dehydration.