Wound Care Certified Certification (WCC) Practice Exam

Hemostasis is initiated when platelets encounter what?

1. Inflamed tissues

2. Collagen in injured tissues

3. Fibrin in the bloodstream

4. Neutrophils in the wound

The correct answer is: Collagen in injured tissues

Hemostasis is a critical process that occurs following vascular injury, and it is primarily initiated when platelets encounter collagen in injured tissues. Collagen is a structural protein found in the extracellular matrix of blood vessels and connective tissues. When a blood vessel is injured, the underlying collagen is exposed to the bloodstream, allowing platelets to adhere to it. This adherence activates the platelets and triggers a series of reactions that lead to aggregation, forming a temporary platelet plug that helps to stop the bleeding. The interaction between platelets and collagen is fundamental to the hemostatic response. When platelets bind to collagen, they undergo a conformational change that enhances their ability to attract more platelets and initiate the coagulation cascade, ultimately leading to the formation of a stable fibrin clot. This process is crucial for wound healing and preventing excessive blood loss. In contrast, inflamed tissues, fibrin in the bloodstream, and neutrophils play different roles in the body's response to injury but do not specifically initiate hemostasis. Inflammation helps to clear debris and bacteria, fibrin forms part of the coagulation process after platelets have already acted, and neutrophils are involved in the immune response rather than the initial clotting response. Thus, the interaction with