What additional benefit does fresh frozen plasma provide aside from volume?

What additional benefit does fresh frozen plasma provide aside from volume?

• A. Increased leukocyte count
• B. Increased platelet count
• C. Increased fibrinogen levels
• D. Increased hemoglobin levels

Answer: (C)

Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is primarily used to replace clotting factors in patients, and one of the significant additional benefits it provides is an increase in fibrinogen levels. Fibrinogen is a crucial protein in the clotting process, and its levels can be critical in managing conditions that lead to coagulopathy. When FFP is administered, it contains not only the clotting factors but also fibrinogen, which can help in clot formation and stabilization, making it particularly important in settings like massive hemorrhages, trauma, or certain liver diseases where coagulation factors are deficient. The other options may imply certain benefits that fresh frozen plasma does not specifically guarantee. For instance, while FFP may contain some leukocytes and platelets, its primary role is not focused on increasing their counts. Additionally, fresh frozen plasma does not significantly influence hemoglobin levels since it primarily repletes coagulation factors rather than red blood cells. Thus, the primary rationale for using FFP includes the improvement of coagulation and fibrinogen levels, making an increase in fibrinogen a key benefit of its administration.

Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is primarily used to replace clotting factors in patients, and one of the significant additional benefits it provides is an increase in fibrinogen levels. Fibrinogen is a crucial protein in the clotting process, and its levels can be critical in managing conditions that lead to coagulopathy. When FFP is administered, it contains not only the clotting factors but also fibrinogen, which can help in clot formation and stabilization, making it particularly important in settings like massive hemorrhages, trauma, or certain liver diseases where coagulation factors are deficient.

The other options may imply certain benefits that fresh frozen plasma does not specifically guarantee. For instance, while FFP may contain some leukocytes and platelets, its primary role is not focused on increasing their counts. Additionally, fresh frozen plasma does not significantly influence hemoglobin levels since it primarily repletes coagulation factors rather than red blood cells. Thus, the primary rationale for using FFP includes the improvement of coagulation and fibrinogen levels, making an increase in fibrinogen a key benefit of its administration.