Question

Polycythemia is a type of blood condition that causes an increased number of RBC, hematocrit is ____ in women and ____ in men

a) Higher, lower
b) Lower, higher
c) Higher, higher
d) Lower, lower

Answer 1

In polycythemia, hematocrit levels are lower in women and higher in men, meaning women typically have fewer RBCs compared to men. Polycythemia can be due to the body's adaptation to high altitude or pathological conditions like polycythemia vera.

Step-by-step explanation:

Polycythemia is a blood condition that leads to an increased number of red blood cells (RBC), which is detected through a patient's hematocrit levels. When it comes to hematocrit levels, women typically have a lower value when compared to men who have a higher value. This means that the correct answer to the question 'Hematocrit is ____ in women and ____ in men' would be: b) Lower, higher. Polycythemia can be an adaptive mechanism for individuals living at high altitudes or it can be pathological, as seen with conditions like polycythemia vera which cause overproduction of immature erythrocytes and increases blood viscosity.