Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) ASCP Practice Exam

For blood donation, a minimum hematocrit percentage of 35% is generally considered acceptable. Hematocrit is a measure of the proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells, which is crucial for ensuring that donors are healthy and that their blood can adequately supply oxygen to recipients.

A hematocrit level of 35% indicates that a sufficient number of red blood cells are present in the donor's blood, minimizing the risk of anemia or other complications associated with low red blood cell counts. This threshold helps to ensure the safety and health of both the donor and the recipient.

Levels below this threshold may raise concerns regarding the donor's overall health and capacity to safely donate blood. A reading of 30% would be too low and may indicate an anemic status. The higher percentages of 40% and 45% are generally safe for donation but are above the minimum required standard.