How many units of RBCs are generally required to raise a hemoglobin level from 6 g/dL to 12 g/dL?

To determine how many units of red blood cells (RBCs) are needed to raise hemoglobin from 6 g/dL to 12 g/dL, it is essential to understand how much a single unit of RBCs typically increases hemoglobin levels in an average adult. Generally, one unit of RBCs can raise hemoglobin by approximately 1 g/dL.

Given that the starting hemoglobin level is 6 g/dL and the target is 12 g/dL, the total increase required is 6 g/dL. Since one unit is estimated to raise hemoglobin by about 1 g/dL, it would take around 6 units of RBCs to achieve this desired increase from 6 g/dL to 12 g/dL.

This calculation assumes that there are no factors affecting the efficacy of the transfusion, such as significant ongoing blood loss or other pathophysiological conditions that might alter the expected response to the transfusion. Thus, based on typical transfusion practices and the expected increase in hemoglobin, 6 units of RBCs is the correct answer for this scenario.