Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

What term is used for the process of blood clotting?

1. Hemostasis

2. Hemolysis

3. Thrombosis

4. Coagulation

The correct answer is: Coagulation

The term used for the process of blood clotting is "coagulation." Coagulation refers specifically to the series of biochemical reactions in which blood transforms from a liquid to a gel, leading to the formation of a solid clot. This process is crucial for stopping bleeding and initiating wound healing. Coagulation involves various components, including platelets and clotting factors, which work together to stabilize the clot and prevent further blood loss. While hemostasis is often used interchangeably with coagulation and also refers to the overall process of stopping bleeding, it encompasses a broader scope that includes vascular spasm and the formation of a platelet plug, along with coagulation. Terms like hemolysis relate to the breakdown of red blood cells, while thrombosis refers to the formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel that can disrupt normal circulation. Both of these processes are different from coagulation, which focuses specifically on the clotting mechanism itself.