1. Microhematocrit Centrifuge
Unit 34
Microhematocrit Centrifuge

2. Basic Principles of Reading a Microhematocrit Centrifuge
A hematocrit (Hct) is a blood test that measures the volume or percent of erythrocytes (red blood cells or RBCs) in the blood.
A microhematocrit centrifuge is an instrument that is used to calculate hematocrit.

3. Basic Principles of Reading a Microhematocrit Centrifuge
A microhematocrit centrifuge spins a tube or tubes of blood at 10,000 revolutions per minute with a centrifugal (driving away from the center) force.
This force separates the blood into three main layers: red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma.

4. Basic Principles of Reading a Microhematocrit Centrifuge
By using the graphic reading device on the microhematocrit centrifuge, the percentage of RBCs can be measured.
An average value for adults is 35% to 45% for women and 40% to 55% for men.
The scale on the microhematocrit centrifuge is in percent (%). The numbers represent 0% to 100%. Each line represents 1%.

5. Basic Principles of Reading a Microhematocrit Centrifuge

6. Microhematocrit Centrifuge
Example: The Example graphic reading on the microhematocrit centrifuge shown on the previous slide is 3 lines above the 40% mark. What is the reading?
Each line represents 1%:
Therefore: = 43%
Remember that the reading should always contain the percent sign.

7. Practical Problem
The graphic reading on a microhematocrit centrifuge is 4 lines above the 50 mark. What is the reading?

8. Practical Problem Each line equals 1%, so add:
= 54%
The correct reading is 54%.