A manual spun hematocrit yields a falsely increased result due to which factor?

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Multiple Choice

A manual spun hematocrit yields a falsely increased result due to which factor?

The main idea tested is how proper centrifugation separates plasma from red cells and how improper spinning can distort the reading. If the spin is too slow, the red cells don’t pack tightly enough and pockets of plasma can remain trapped within the packed cell region. That trapped plasma makes the measured packed-cell height appear larger relative to the total column, yielding a hematocrit value that is falsely high. In manual spun hematocrits, using the correct speed and duration is essential to achieve a clean separation where plasma sits clearly above a compact RBC layer. Prolonged tourniquet, hemolysis, or excess EDTA can affect results in other ways, but the specific artifact causing a falsely increased spun hematocrit is trapped plasma due to insufficient centrifugal force.

The main idea tested is how proper centrifugation separates plasma from red cells and how improper spinning can distort the reading. If the spin is too slow, the red cells don’t pack tightly enough and pockets of plasma can remain trapped within the packed cell region. That trapped plasma makes the measured packed-cell height appear larger relative to the total column, yielding a hematocrit value that is falsely high. In manual spun hematocrits, using the correct speed and duration is essential to achieve a clean separation where plasma sits clearly above a compact RBC layer. Prolonged tourniquet, hemolysis, or excess EDTA can affect results in other ways, but the specific artifact causing a falsely increased spun hematocrit is trapped plasma due to insufficient centrifugal force.

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