RBC Count
Alternate Names : Erythrocyte Count, Red Blood Cell Count
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Special Considerations
- The RBC count may be decreased during pregnancy because of an increase in body fluids.
- The RBC will increase over a period of several weeks after moving to a higher altitude.
- Dehydration increases the RBC count.
- Drugs that can increase the RBC count include gentamicin and methyldopa. Drugs that can decrease the RBC count include chloramphenicol, hydantoins, and quinidine.
- Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
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