Wound Care Certified Certification (WCC) Practice Exam

What is the function of platelets in wound healing?

1. To increase blood flow

2. To aggregate and attract fibrin to form a clot

3. To provide nutrients for healing

4. To initiate scar formation

The correct answer is: To aggregate and attract fibrin to form a clot

Platelets play a crucial role in wound healing, primarily through their function of aggregation and attracting fibrin to form a clot. When a blood vessel is injured, platelets rapidly adhere to the exposed collagen and other substances in the damaged area. As they aggregate, they release signaling molecules that further recruit additional platelets to the site of injury. This aggregation is essential for the formation of a stable clot, which acts as a physical barrier to prevent further blood loss and as a scaffold for incoming cells necessary for tissue repair. Additionally, the formation of fibrin, which is a protein that weaves through the aggregated platelets, solidifies the clot and provides a matrix for new tissue to grow, thus facilitating the healing process. This process is critical as it not only halts bleeding but also sets the stage for the inflammatory response and subsequent healing phases. While the other functions mentioned, such as increasing blood flow, providing nutrients, and initiating scar formation, are also important in wound healing, they do not directly reflect the primary role of platelets themselves during the initial stages of wound response.