Answer :
Final answer:
To determine the hematocrit, one must collect blood in a heparinized capillary tube, fill it three-quarters full, seal it, place it in a centrifuge, and then spin for a precise time to separate blood components.
Explanation:
The process of determining the hematocrit involves a sequence of steps that ensure accurate measurement of the proportion of red blood cells (RBCs) in blood. The correct order of steps to determine hematocrit is:
- Place heparinized capillary tube into the blood to collect the sample via capillary action.
- Fill the tube three-quarters full with blood, ensuring the correct sample volume.
- Seal the end with capillary tube sealer or clay to prevent sample loss during centrifugation.
- Place the tube in a microhematocrit centrifuge, balancing tubes to ensure even spinning.
- Centrifuge the blood for 4 to 5 minutes to separate the components based on density.
After centrifugation, the red blood cells will settle at the bottom of the tube, and the proportion they occupy compared to the total volume of blood is the hematocrit value. This value is important for diagnosing conditions such as anemia.
