CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician) Practice Exam

What does hemostasis do to the vessels?

1. Constricts them

2. Dilates them

3. Stops bleeding

4. Increases blood flow

The correct answer is: Stops bleeding

Hemostasis is a vital physiological process that prevents and stops bleeding. When an injury occurs in a blood vessel, hemostasis involves several steps that result in the formation of a clot to seal the wound. This process not only stops bleeding but also promotes the repair of the vessel wall. While constriction of the vessels can occur as part of the hemostatic process to reduce blood flow at the site of injury, the primary and most comprehensive function is to ensure that bleeding is halted. This involves a complex interaction between vascular constriction, platelet aggregation, and the coagulation cascade to form a stable blood clot. Thus, the correct understanding is that hemostasis is fundamentally about stopping bleeding, making it the quintessential function of this process.