Many dehydrated/hypovolemic children have elevated
hematocrits. Which of the following explains this?
a. The body produces more red blood cells to help
deliver oxygen to the cells. Once oxygenation
improves, red blood cell production will return
to normal.
b. The concentration of red blood cells is higher. Once
rehydrated, the hematocrit will return to normal.
c. The body produces more red blood cells to help
fight infection. Once the infection is resolved, red
blood cell production will return to normal.
d. In dehydration, the life cycle of red blood cells is
prolonged to help with tissue oxygenation. This
results in more red blood cells in circulation than
normal.