Which of the following could cause the microhematocrit to be falsely decreased?
a. Specimen contaminated with intravenous fluid
b. Trapped plasma from abnormally shaped red cells
c. Dehydration
d. Insufficient centrifugation
ANS: A
Intravenous fluid in the specimen will dilute the cells, making the hematocrit falsely decreased. Trapped plasma from abnormally shaped red cells will elevate the microhematocrit. If a person is dehydrated, then he or she has lost plasma volume to extracellular space, and this falsely increases the microhematocrit. Insufficient centrifugation means that the red cells will not be maximally packed, and this too will falsely elevate the microhematocrit.
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