What does multiblock readcount do?

I thought that db_multiblock_read_count established a max on the number of blocks read during a full table scan. However, I'm seeing p3 values much higher than the parameter setting of 8. Can someone clarify this for me?

WAIT #3: nam='db file scattered read' ela= 1 p1=9 p2=21117 p3=6
WAIT #3: nam='db file scattered read' ela= 0 p1=9 p2=21124 p3=5
WAIT #3: nam='db file scattered read' ela= 0 p1=8 p2=23817 p3=4
WAIT #3: nam='db file scattered read' ela= 1 p1=8 p2=23822 p3=16
WAIT #3: nam='db file scattered read' ela= 1 p1=8 p2=23839 p3=51
WAIT #3: nam='db file scattered read' ela= 3 p1=8 p2=23891 p3=19
WAIT #3: nam='db file scattered read' ela= 1 p1=8 p2=23911 p3=34
WAIT #3: nam='db file scattered read' ela= 0 p1=9 p2=21129 p3=13
WAIT #3: nam='db file scattered read' ela= 1 p1=9 p2=21143 p3=21
WAIT #3: nam='db file scattered read' ela= 2 p1=9 p2=21165 p3=77
WAIT #3: nam='db file scattered read' ela= 0 p1=9 p2=21243 p3=7

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