By what percentage does one unit of whole blood raise the hematocrit of a standard adult patient?

One unit of whole blood typically raises the hematocrit of a standard adult patient by approximately 3%. This increase occurs due to the addition of both red blood cells and plasma components present in the whole blood. Hematocrit is a measure of the proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells, and thus the transfusion of whole blood effectively contributes to an increase in this volume.

In practice, healthcare providers use this estimate to anticipate the impact of blood transfusions on a patient's hematological status, particularly in situations where rapid corrective measures for anemia are required. The values provided in the other choices do not align with established clinical data regarding whole blood transfusions and their effects on hematocrit, thereby reinforcing the selection of the 3% increase as the most appropriate answer to represent the physiological response of a patient receiving one unit of whole blood.