2025 ASCP Blood Banking Specialist Practice Exam – Complete Test Prep

Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) are useful in treating conditions associated with deficiencies or dysfunction of clotting factors. In the context of the choices provided, severe Christmas disease, which is known as hemophilia B, is characterized by a deficiency of Factor IX. Prothrombin complex is indicated in severe hemophilia B because it contains factors II, VII, IX, and X, which can help restore the missing factors in the patient's circulation, thus aiding in the control of bleeding episodes.

In contrast, other conditions like mild von Willebrand's disease would not benefit from PCC, as this condition primarily involves a defect in von Willebrand factor rather than deficiencies in the prothrombin complex factors. Severe hemophilia A without Factor VIII inhibitors would be treated with Factor VIII replacement rather than PCC, since the primary deficit is in that specific factor, not in the prothrombin complex factors. Lastly, severe hemophilia A with Factor VIII inhibitors often requires different management strategies, such as bypass therapy, rather than prothrombin complex, as inhibitors nullify the effectiveness of the administered Factor VIII. Thus, severe Christmas disease is the appropriate indication for the use of prothrombin complex.