Components of blood – 45% RBC (hematocrit – 48% men/ 38% women), 54% Plasma, 1% WBC and Platelets

Blood tests:

Hemoglobin (Hgb) usually around 14  (Varies for men and women, adults and children)

Hematocrit is (Hct) usually about three times Hemoglobin levels,

Platelet count usually between 150,000 and 450,000 per uL of blood

CBC – Complete blood count

Diff – Measures percentage of different types of white blood cells (differential hematology blood analyzers)

92% of blood plasma is water, 6-7% Proteins, remainder includes clotting factors, glucose, and electrolytes

Contains 3 Important proteins

Albumins – keep water in blood – low proteins will let water leak out – edema – (seen in poor nutrition, elderly, etc)

Immunoglobulins – immune system response

Fibrinogens – for blood coagulation

 

Red Blood Cells

Most abundant cells in body

Primarily responsible for tissue oxygenation

White Blood Cells

Cells of the immune system, also called leukocytes, 5 types exists. Produced in Bone Marrow. Elevation of WBC count indicative of disease.

Arterial Blood Gas Levels (ABGs)

• Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) – 75 – 100 mmHg
• Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) – 35 – 45 mmHg
• A pH of 7.35 – 7.45
• Oxygen saturation (SaO2) – 94 – 100%
• Bicarbonate – (HCO3) – 22 – 26 mEq/L

Note: low HCO3 decreases the effectiveness of many drugs – specifically epinephrine.