Given cholesterol levels of 225 mg/dL and HDL of 75 mg/dL, what is the cholesterol/HDL ratio?

To determine the cholesterol/HDL ratio, you divide the total cholesterol level by the HDL (high-density lipoprotein) level. In this scenario, the total cholesterol is given as 225 mg/dL, and the HDL is 75 mg/dL.

The calculation would be as follows:

Cholesterol/HDL ratio = Total Cholesterol / HDL

= 225 mg/dL / 75 mg/dL

= 3.00

The correct answer is derived from accurately performing the division of the cholesterol level by the HDL level, which yields a ratio of 3.00. This ratio is useful in assessing cardiovascular risk, as lower values generally indicate a lower risk for heart disease. A ratio of 3.00 suggests a balanced lipid profile in this particular context, which is an important aspect of evaluating someone's cardiovascular health. Understanding how to calculate and interpret this ratio is crucial for a medical technologist's role in patient assessment.