CCNS Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist

Answer - B - The nurse alerted the physician and anticipates an order of blood replacement. This is needed in order to increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. The patient’s expected hematocrit level should be at 37%-47%. Serum albumin helps in maintaining blood volume, but it does not affect the hematocrit level. Dextran expands the blood, but it decreases the hematocrit level as it does not replace RBC’s.