What is the procedure called that removes plasma from the bloodstream and returns red cells to the donor?

What is the procedure called that removes plasma from the bloodstream and returns red cells to the donor?

• A. Leukapheresis
• B. Plateletpheresis
• C. Plasmapheresis
• D. Erythrocytapheresis

Answer: (C)

Plasmapheresis is the procedure in which plasma is removed from the blood and the cellular components are returned to the donor. In this process, blood is drawn and separated; the plasma portion is taken out, and the red cells (along with white cells and platelets) are returned to circulation. This distinguishes it from other apheresis types: removing white cells (leukapheresis), removing platelets (plateletpheresis), or removing red cells (erythrocytapheresis). The key idea is that plasma is the component being removed while the cellular elements stay in the donor.

Plasmapheresis is the procedure in which plasma is removed from the blood and the cellular components are returned to the donor. In this process, blood is drawn and separated; the plasma portion is taken out, and the red cells (along with white cells and platelets) are returned to circulation. This distinguishes it from other apheresis types: removing white cells (leukapheresis), removing platelets (plateletpheresis), or removing red cells (erythrocytapheresis). The key idea is that plasma is the component being removed while the cellular elements stay in the donor.