A male patient of average size has a hemoglobin count of 8.1 g/dl. The surgeon wants a hemoglobin count of 10 g/dl before doing surgery. How many units of RBCs need to be given before the surgeon will accept the patient into surgery?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient needs an increase of 1.9 g/dl in hemoglobin count (10 g/dl - 8.1 g/dl = 1.9 g/dl). Each unit of RBCs typically raises hemoglobin by 1 g/dl, so the patient needs 2 units of RBCs (1.9 rounded up to the nearest whole number). Therefore, choice B (2) is the correct answer.

A Male Patient of Average Size Has a Hemoglobin Count