AIIMS CRE, SNO-2024: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is obtained by centrifuging blood at:

AIIMS CRE, SNO-2024

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS CRE, SNO-2024

Explanation

The preparation of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) from whole blood involves an initial 'soft spin' or slow centrifugation.
This process uses a relatively low gravitational force (g-force) to sediment the heavier components like red blood cells and white blood cells.
The lighter platelets remain suspended in the liquid plasma supernatant, which is then collected as PRP.
The parameters of 500g for 10 minutes are characteristic of a soft spin, making it the correct method among the choices for obtaining PRP.

Option B: This represents a higher g-force, which is closer to a 'hard spin'. This force would begin to pellet the platelets along with the red blood cells, reducing the platelet concentration in the plasma.
Option C: This is a classic 'hard spin'. This high force and long duration are used to prepare Platelet-Poor Plasma (PPP) or to create a concentrated platelet pellet from PRP, not to obtain PRP from whole blood.
Option D: This combination of very low force and extremely short duration is insufficient to achieve proper separation of red blood cells from the plasma, resulting in a poorly separated sample.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Centrifugation parameters for Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) preparation helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
PRP is widely used in regenerative medicine, including orthopedics, dermatology, and wound care, to accelerate tissue healing due to the high concentration of growth factors in platelets.
Nurses play a crucial role in the pre-analytical phase, ensuring correct blood collection techniques (e.g., using the right anticoagulant tube), proper sample handling, and accurate labeling to guarantee the quality and efficacy of the PRP.
What if? If the initial spin was accidentally set to 3000g instead of 500g, the platelets would be pelleted with the red blood cells. The resulting supernatant would be platelet-poor plasma (PPP), which lacks the therapeutic growth factors, rendering the preparation useless for its intended regenerative purpose.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key concept in the question: the method to obtain 'Platelet-Rich Plasma' (PRP).
Recall the principle of differential centrifugation for separating blood components based on their density and mass.
Understand that 'Platelet-Rich' implies the platelets must remain suspended in the plasma after the initial spin. This requires a gentle or 'soft spin' with low g-force.
Evaluate the given options. Categorize them as 'soft spin' (low g-force), 'hard spin' (high g-force), or 'ineffective' (too low/short).
Eliminate the high-force options (1600g and 3000g) as they are 'hard spins' used to pellet platelets, not keep them in the plasma.
Eliminate the very low/short option (100g for 1 minute) as it is likely insufficient for proper separation.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Centrifugation parameters for Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) preparation.
Stem keywords: Platelet-rich plasma, PRP, centrifuging blood
Lead-in keywords: obtained by