Final answer:
In a patient with polycythemia, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APT') would likely be within normal limits or slightly shortened, depending on individual clinical factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The expected results for prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APT') in a patient with polycythemia would typically be within normal limits or slightly shortened. Polycythemia, characterized by an increased number of red blood cells, can lead to increased blood viscosity and may possibly cause hypercoagulability. However, it does not inherently alter the clotting factors required for the PT and APTT tests, which measure the function of the coagulation pathways.
PT is a measure of the extrinsic pathway and common pathway of coagulation, and APTT assesses the intrinsic pathway and common pathway. Both tests could theoretically be towards the lower end of the normal range if increased red blood cells enhance the coagulation process. Nevertheless, it is essential to have a patient-specific clinical correlation since other factors could influence these tests such as concurrent medical conditions or medications.