Why is Monitoring Hematocrit Important?
There are two main reasons for monitoring Hematocrit, to aid in diagnosis and to ensure effective life support in the operating/emergency room. There are many diseases that can be detected by testing Hematocrit. Anemia, a condition of low red blood cell count, is the most common blood disorder. There are also diseases of increased red blood cells, Polycythemias, which increase the viscosity of the blood and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Abnormal Hematocrit may also indicate illness. For example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can cause an increase in the production of red blood cells while a low red blood cell count could be an indication of a hemorrhage or ectopic pregnancy. (www.wikipedia.org) During critical care, a patient’s hematocrit may fluctuate drastically. Shock, severe burns, dehydration, severe diarrhea, can all lower the water content of the body and consequently the plasma levels in the blood. This decrease in plasma causes an increase in Hematocrit, the ra
