ASCP Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Hemoconcentration specifically refers to an increase in the concentration of cellular components in the blood, which occurs when there is a reduction in plasma volume relative to the number of cells present. This can happen due to dehydration, fluid loss, or a variety of conditions that lead to a decrease in the liquid portion of the blood. When hemoconcentration occurs, the cellular components—such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets—become more concentrated, potentially leading to elevated counts for these cells in blood tests.

Understanding this term is crucial because it impacts laboratory results and the assessment of a patient's health. For example, hemoconcentration could distort results for tests related to hematocrit or hemoglobin levels, as they may appear elevated not due to an increase in production but rather to a relative decrease in plasma.

In contrast, a decrease in white blood cells, an increase in plasma volume, or a decrease in red blood cell count do not accurately describe the phenomenon of hemoconcentration, thus ruling out those options. Each of those scenarios represents different physiological processes and conditions not aligned with the definition of hemoconcentration.