Packed Cell Volume & Plasma Protein

Question 1

What does PCV/Hct stand for, and what is it?

Answer 1

Packed Cell Volume / Hematocrit, indicates the volume of RBCs in relation to the total blood volume at the time of collection.

Question 2

What are some common errors in performing the PCV?

Answer 2

1. Taking blood from a tube containing anticoagulant that was not re-mixed
2. Misreading scale
3. Increased anticoagulant will shrink cells causing false-low reading
4. Sample doesn’t spin for enough time

Question 3

What does the buffy coat contain?

Answer 3

• WBCs
• Platelets
• nRBCs
• Heartworm mircofilariae

Question 4

What does a high PCV usually mean?

Answer 4

Splenic contraction, dehydration

Question 5

What does a low PCV usually mean?

Answer 5

Anemias, chronic iron deficiency, anesthesia

Question 6

What is TP/TS?

Answer 6

Plasma protein

Question 7

What does low TP values usually mean?

Answer 7

• Protein loss through kidneys, GI tract
• Loss of lymph
• Chronic or severe blood loss
• Lack of protein production by liver

Question 8

What does high TP values usually mean?

Answer 8

• Hemoconcentration
• Increased globulin production

Question 9

What does HB or HGB mean?

Answer 9

Hemoglobulin

Question 10

What does MCV mean?

Answer 10

Mean Cellular Volume, expresses average volume of individual RBC

Question 11

What does MCH mean?

Answer 11

Mean Cellular Hemoglobulin, expresses the mass of Hb in the average RBC

Question 12

What does MCHC mean?

Answer 12

Mean Cellular Hemoglobulin Concentration, expresses the Hb concentration in RBCs