Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Practice Test

Which of the following is NOT a component of the Fick Principle?

1. Adequate number of platelets in the blood

2. Oxygenation of red blood cells

3. Transportation of red blood cells to the tissues of the body

4. Off-loading oxygen from the red blood cells to the tissues

The correct answer is: Adequate number of platelets in the blood

The Fick Principle is a fundamental concept in understanding how oxygen is delivered and utilized by the tissues of the body. It emphasizes the relationship between oxygen delivery, consumption, and the factors influencing these processes. The principle states that the amount of oxygen consumed by the tissues is equal to the product of cardiac output and the difference in oxygen content between arterial and venous blood. In this context, having an adequate number of platelets in the blood is not relevant to the Fick Principle, as platelets are primarily involved in blood clotting rather than in the transport or utilization of oxygen. Oxygenation of red blood cells, the transportation of red blood cells to tissues, and the off-loading of oxygen from these red blood cells to the tissues are all critical components of how oxygen is delivered and utilized, making them integral to the concept outlined by the Fick Principle. Therefore, the presence of an adequate number of platelets does not factor into the equation of oxygen transport and utilization that the Fick Principle describes.