The total blood volume can be calculated by dividing plasma volume by which factor?

The correct answer is derived from an understanding of the relationship between plasma volume, hematocrit, and total blood volume. Total blood volume can be calculated by dividing plasma volume by the factor known as corrected plasmacrit.

Plasmacrit is essentially the fraction of blood volume that is occupied by plasma. Since total blood volume consists of both plasma and cellular components (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets), you need to account for the volume occupied by these cells to find the total blood volume. Corrected plasmacrit adjusts for the proportion of blood that is cellular, making it a crucial factor in the calculation.

When you divide plasma volume by corrected plasmacrit, you effectively obtain the total blood volume because you're considering how much of the overall volume is taken up by the cellular elements relative to the plasma. In contrast, hematocrit refers specifically to the volume fraction of blood that is made up of red blood cells and does not account for the volume of plasma directly, which is why it would not yield the correct total blood volume.

Utilizing corrected plasmacrit allows for a more accurate computation by reflecting the actual arrangement and distribution of blood components. This understanding is essential in nuclear medicine, where precise measurements of blood parameters are often necessary for assessing physiological