Final answer:
Emily's anemia was diagnosed by measuring her hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, which are indicators of the percentage of red blood cells and the amount of hemoglobin in the blood, essential for diagnosing anemia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The diagnosis of anemia was based on measuring two key indicators in Emily's blood: her hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. The hematocrit test measures the percentage of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in a blood sample after it has been centrifuged to separate the components. Hemoglobin levels are evaluated to determine the amount of this oxygen-carrying protein present in the blood.
Both hematocrit and hemoglobin levels provide clinical insights into the concentration and capacity of red blood cells to carry oxygen, which are critical in diagnosing various types of anemia, such as those caused by blood loss, decreased red blood cell production, or excessive destruction of red blood cells. In anemia, a deficiency in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin results in less oxygen being delivered to body tissues, causing symptoms such as fatigue and weakness.