Which statement about hematocrit is FALSE?

Which statement about hematocrit is FALSE?

• A. It measures the percentage of packed white blood cells in 100ml of blood
• B. A decrease in hematocrit can indicate anemia
• C. An increase in hematocrit can indicate dehydration
• D. Normal hematocrit values for men are 42%-52%

Answer: (A)

Hematocrit is the proportion of blood that consists of red blood cells, expressed as a percentage of the total blood volume. It’s obtained by measuring how much of the sample’s volume is red blood cells after centrifugation. It does not measure white blood cells—that would be a separate WBC count. So, the statement claiming hematocrit measures the percentage of packed white blood cells is false. The other points are true: a lower hematocrit can indicate anemia, a higher hematocrit can occur with dehydration, and normal values for men are commonly cited around the 42–52% range (lab ranges may vary slightly).

Hematocrit is the proportion of blood that consists of red blood cells, expressed as a percentage of the total blood volume. It’s obtained by measuring how much of the sample’s volume is red blood cells after centrifugation. It does not measure white blood cells—that would be a separate WBC count.

So, the statement claiming hematocrit measures the percentage of packed white blood cells is false. The other points are true: a lower hematocrit can indicate anemia, a higher hematocrit can occur with dehydration, and normal values for men are commonly cited around the 42–52% range (lab ranges may vary slightly).