Final answer:
A decreased hematocrit level can be caused by hemodilution, which is an increase in the fluid volume of the blood. This can be due to conditions such as excessive fluid intake, kidney disease, or certain medications. In the case mentioned, the decreased hematocrit and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) less than 10mg/dL suggest hemodilution, which is associated with excessive extracellular volume (ECV) or fluid overload.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hematocrit is a measurement of the volume percentage of red blood cells in the blood. A decreased hematocrit level can be caused by hemodilution, which is an increase in the fluid volume of the blood. This can be due to conditions such as excessive fluid intake, kidney disease, or certain medications. In the case mentioned, the decreased hematocrit and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) less than 10mg/dL suggest hemodilution, which is associated with excessive extracellular volume (ECV) or fluid overload.