Final answer:
The total plasma volume is important in blood replacement therapy. The 99% confidence interval for the mean plasma volume of 42 male firefighters is approximately 35.60 to 39.40 ml/kg.
Step-by-step explanation:
The total plasma volume of a person is important in determining the required plasma component in blood replacement therapy for a person undergoing surgery. In this case, we have a sample of 42 male firefighters with a plasma volume sample mean of x = 37.5 ml/kg and a standard deviation of σ = 7.80 ml/kg.
To find a 99% confidence interval for the true mean plasma volume, we can use the formula:
CI = x ± Z * (σ / sqrt(n))
where x is the sample mean, σ is the sample standard deviation, Z is the Z-score for the given confidence level, and n is the sample size. For a 99% confidence interval, the Z-score is approximately 2.576.
Plugging in the values, we get CI = 37.5 ± 2.576 * (7.80 / sqrt(42)).
Calculating the values, we get a 99% confidence interval of approximately 35.60 to 39.40 ml/kg.