Recall from the video the steps for determining the hematocrit. Place the steps in the correct order from left to right.

a. Seal the end with capillary tube sealer or clay
b. Fill the tube three-quarters full with blood
c. Centrifuge the blood for 4 to 5 minutes
d. Place heparinized capillary tube into the blood
e. Place the tube in a microhematocrit centrifuge

Determine the percent of RBCs: ____________

To determine the hematocrit, one must fill a heparinized capillary tube with blood, seal it, centrifuge it, and then use a reader to determine the RBC percentage. The hematocrit is approximately 45% in healthy individuals.

Explanation:

Steps to Determine the Hematocrit

The hematocrit is a measure of the percentage of red blood cells (RBCs) in a blood sample. Here are the correct steps to determine the hematocrit, in order:

Insert a heparinized capillary tube into the blood to fill the tube three-quarters full by capillary action.
Seal the end of the capillary tube with a tube sealer or clay.
Place the tube in a micro hematocrit centrifuge.
Centrifuge the blood for 4 to 5 minutes at the proper speed.
Remove the tube and determine the percent of RBCs using a microhematocrit reader.

During the centrifuge step, the heavier elements, such as erythrocytes, settle at the bottom, with a pale layer, the buffy coat (comprised of WBCs and platelets), above them, and the liquid plasma on top. Normally, the hematocrit for a healthy individual is approximately 45%, with values significantly lower indicating possible anemia.