What does hematocrit measure?

Hematocrit is a measure of the proportion of blood that is made up of red blood cells. This is expressed as a percentage and is crucial for assessing a person's blood health, particularly in evaluating conditions like anemia or polycythemia. A higher hematocrit value indicates a greater volume of red blood cells in the blood compared to the total blood volume, while a lower value can indicate a potential deficit of red blood cells or fluid overload.

This measurement plays an essential role in the clinical management of elderly patients, who may face various hematological issues as part of the aging process. By understanding the hematocrit levels, healthcare providers can better assess a patient's oxygen-carrying capacity and overall circulatory health, which is especially important in a geriatric population where complications may arise more frequently.

The other options focus on different components of the blood and do not specifically measure the proportion of red blood cells relative to the total blood volume, making them distinct from what hematocrit quantifies.