The clinic nurse reviews the complete blood count results for a 30-year-old woman who is now 33 weeks' gestation. Tamara's hemoglobin value is 11.2 g/dL, and her hematocrit is 38%. The clinic nurse interprets these findings as:
a. Normal adult values
b. Normal pregnancy values for the third trimester
c. Increased adult values
d. Increased values for 33 weeks' gestation
ANS: b
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a. The values are low normal for adults but represent normal findings for pregnant women.
b. During pregnancy the woman's hematocrit values may appear low due to the increase in total plasma volume (on average, 50%). Because the plasma volume is greater than the increase in erythrocytes (30%), the hematocrit decreases by about 7%. This alteration is termed "physiologic anemia of pregnancy," or "pseudo-anemia." The hemodilution effect is most apparent at 32 to 34 weeks. The mean acceptable hemoglobin level in pregnancy is 11 to 12 g/dL of blood.
c. The values are not increased; they are low normal for adults but represent normal findings for pregnant women.
d. The values are not increased; they are low normal for adults but represent normal findings for pregnant women.
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