Red Blood Cells Carry oxygen from lungs to all parts of the body. Plasma carries the blood cells on their journey through the body. Plasma is used as a volume expander and to treat shock due to plasma loss in burns or hemorrhage. Platelets Smallest blood cells. They are part of the blood that causes it to clot.
Platelets rush to the point of injury to stop the bleeding.
Platelets are used to treat patients with leukemia and other forms of cancer or to treat bleeding due to platelet shortage. Cryoprecipitate Small portion of plasma that is harvested through a freeze thaw process. It contains factors to help blood clot. Used in open-heart surgeries and patients with hereditary clotting deficiencies.