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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

Take the Hematocrit Practice Problems Quiz

Ready to master hematocrit levels interpretation? Dive in and ace these practice problems!

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Lavanyah Ann FernandezUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of hematocrit quiz showing levels calculations interpretations on dark blue background

Use this hematocrit quiz to practice calculations, interpret results, and avoid common lab mistakes. It's a quick way to spot gaps before an exam or skills check. Tackle hands-on practice problems , then check your progress with the broader hematology review .

A hematocrit of 45% means that 45% of the blood volume is composed of red blood cells.
False
True
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Which adult reference range is most appropriate for hematocrit in males?
30% to 38%
18% to 28%
54% to 64%
42% to 52%
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Which adult reference range is most appropriate for hematocrit in females?
15% to 25%
48% to 58%
37% to 47%
28% to 34%
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Hematocrit is typically reported as a percentage or as a decimal fraction of 1.
False
True
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Severe dehydration most commonly causes a relative increase in hematocrit due to plasma volume contraction.
True
False
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Which condition is most likely to produce a decreased hematocrit?
Acute hemorrhage
Polycythemia vera
Living at high altitude
Dehydration
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A newborn typically has a higher hematocrit at birth compared with older children and adults.
True
False
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A patient has Hb 15 g/dL and RBC 5.0 x10^12/L with MCV 90 fL. What is the automated hematocrit?
45%
30%
60%
9%
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Which set best matches the Rule of 3 (Hb x 3 approx equals Hct) for normocytic, normochromic samples?
Hb 10 g/dL, Hct 55%
Hb 14 g/dL, Hct 42%
Hb 8 g/dL, Hct 20%
Hb 18 g/dL, Hct 36%
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In automated analyzers, hematocrit is commonly calculated using which formula?
Hct = RBC / MCHC
Hct = RBC x MCV
Hct = MCH x MCHC
Hct = Hb x 3
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A patient living at high altitude is expected to have a higher hematocrit due to chronic hypoxia-driven erythropoiesis.
False
True
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In pregnancy, plasma volume expansion usually lowers hematocrit despite normal or increased red cell mass.
False
True
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After a large IV fluid bolus, a patient's hematocrit drops from 40% to 34% within an hour. This change most likely reflects hemodilution rather than true RBC loss.
False
True
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Which combination is most consistent with iron deficiency anemia in terms of hematocrit and indices?
High Hct, low MCV, low RDW
Low Hct, high MCV, normal RDW
Normal Hct, high MCV, high RDW
Low Hct, low MCV, high RDW
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Which scenario most likely explains a normal hemoglobin but low hematocrit on an automated analyzer?
Severe microcytosis reducing MCV
Hemolysis in vitro increasing RBC count
Cold agglutinins increasing MCV
Lipemia interfering with hemoglobin measurement
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Cold agglutinins can falsely increase MCV, leading to a spurious increase in calculated hematocrit.
True
False
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Which preanalytical error is most likely to falsely decrease a microhematocrit result?
Overfilling the capillary tube
Proper clay sealing of the tube
Inadequate mixing leading to plasma-rich sampling
Centrifuging at too high speed
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Which finding best distinguishes relative polycythemia from absolute polycythemia?
Erythropoietin is elevated in relative polycythemia
RBC mass is elevated in relative polycythemia
Arterial oxygen saturation is reduced in relative polycythemia
Plasma volume is decreased in relative polycythemia
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Which single laboratory pattern most strongly suggests polycythemia vera rather than secondary erythrocytosis?
Elevated hematocrit with high EPO level
Normal hematocrit with high EPO level
Low hematocrit with low EPO level
Elevated hematocrit with low EPO level
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The Rule of 3 (Hct approx 3 x Hb) is unreliable in the presence of marked microcytosis or cold agglutinins.
False
True
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0

Study Outcomes

  1. Understand hematocrit testing basics -

    Grasp the foundational concepts behind hematocrit practice problems and common hematocrit test questions to measure red blood cell volume.

  2. Apply hematocrit sample prep protocols -

    Master hematocrit sample prep techniques including proper microhematocrit tube handling, centrifugation, and sealing methods.

  3. Calculate microhematocrit values accurately -

    Use this microhematocrit calculation quiz to perform precise hematocrit level computations and determine percent packed cell volume.

  4. Interpret hematocrit levels in clinical scenarios -

    Analyze hematocrit levels interpretation to distinguish between conditions like anemia, dehydration, and polycythemia.

  5. Enhance speed and accuracy under exam conditions -

    Build confidence by practicing hematocrit test questions with timed challenges to improve both speed and precision.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding Hematocrit Fundamentals -

    Hematocrit measures the percentage volume of red blood cells in whole blood, providing a quick snapshot of oxygen-carrying capacity and guiding diagnoses in anemia or polycythemia. Working through hematocrit practice problems from university lab manuals (e.g., CLSI H2-A3) builds confidence in identifying the packed cell volume (PCV) segment after centrifugation. Remember the simple ratio mnemonic "RBC height ÷ total height × 100" to lock in the calculation.

  2. Microhematocrit Calculation Formula -

    The microhematocrit calculation quiz often tests the formula Hct = (h1/h2)×100, where h1 is the red cell column and h2 is the total column height. For example, if h1 = 25 mm and h2 = 50 mm, then Hct = (25/50)×100 = 50%. Practice with varied numbers to master this quick yet vital hematocrit skills check.

  3. Key Steps in Sample Preparation -

    Proper hematocrit sample prep begins with mixing the blood in an EDTA tube to prevent clotting, then filling the microcapillary tube without air bubbles to ensure accurate readings. Centrifuge at 10,000 - 12,000 rpm for 3 - 5 minutes, as recommended by the World Health Organization, to achieve distinct plasma, buffy coat, and RBC layers. Avoid hemolysis by handling tubes gently and reading results promptly after spinning.

  4. Interpreting Hematocrit Levels Accurately -

    Normal hematocrit levels vary by age and sex: roughly 38 - 46% for adult women and 42 - 52% for adult men, according to UpToDate and major hematology textbooks. In hematocrit levels interpretation, values below range suggest anemia while values above hint at dehydration or polycythemia vera. Always correlate with hemoglobin, RBC indices, and patient history for a full clinical picture.

  5. Troubleshooting and Quiz Success Tips -

    When tackling hematocrit test questions, watch out for common pitfalls like plasma trapping or including the buffy coat in the RBC measurement. Use the "3 P's" mnemonic - Pre-analytical, Processing, Precision - to recall error sources: sample quality, centrifugation technique, and reading accuracy. Regularly time yourself on practice problems to boost speed and accuracy under quiz conditions.

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