Katherine, a healthy young woman, had a battery of tests during a physical for a new job. her rbc count was at the higher end of the normal range of the time, but four weeks later it was substantially elevated beyond that. when asked if any circumstances had changed in her life, katherine admitted to taking up smoking. a. what chemical present in cigarette smoke would cause this change?

There are many harmful chemicals in the cigarette that increases the red blood count. The compounds that is found in the cigarette are carbon monoxide, and other compounds that decreases the level of oxygen inside the body.

In order to compensate the oxygen level of the body, the body boosts the level of production of red blood blood cells in the body.

hence, the chemical like carbon dioxide and monoxide tends to decrease the level of oxygen in the body and elevated red blood cells.