Final answer:
After a PRBC transfusion, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels increase, indicating an improved oxygen-carrying capacity and suggesting an effective response to anemia or blood loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the completion of a packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion, you can expect an increase in both hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) levels. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying compound in erythrocytes, and hematocrit is the volume percentage of erythrocytes in a sample of centrifuged blood. For an effective transfusion, the hematocrit values should approach normal levels which, on average, are about 41% for females and 47% for males. Clinically, each unit of PRBCs transfused is expected to raise the hemoglobin level by approximately 1 gram per deciliter and the hematocrit by about 3 percentage points. The effectiveness of the transfusion in addressing a patient's hemodynamic status can be gauged by measuring these values post-transfusion and noting an increase towards normal ranges. This increment reflects an improved oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, which in turn should ameliorate symptoms of anemia such as fatigue and shortness of breath, thereby enhancing tissue oxygenation and patient well-being.