Final answer:
The patient's hematocrit level of 34% is lower than normal, suggesting they might require further assessment and possible treatment for conditions like anemia before surgery. The plasma percentage at this hematocrit level is approximately 66% for both males and females.
Step-by-step explanation:
The patient's hematocrit level is 34% before surgery, which is a bit lower than the normal range for females (37-47%) and males (42-52%). Hematocrit represents the volume percentage of erythrocytes in a sample of centrifuged blood. Since the percentage of white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets is minimal and not usually considered in the hematocrit, the plasma percentage can be estimated as the remaining percentage of the total blood volume. Therefore, if a female has a hematocrit level of 34%, her plasma percentage is approximately 66% (100% - 34%). For a male with the same hematocrit level, the plasma percentage would also be 66%.
Management before surgery typically involves assessing the cause of the low hematocrit and correcting it if possible. This could involve treating underlying conditions, such as anemia, or providing a blood transfusion if deemed necessary to increase the hematocrit closer to normal levels before the patient undergoes surgery.