Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) Practice Exam

What is the role of plasmapheresis in the management of bullous lesions?

1. It promotes rapid healing

2. It helps remove harmful substances from the blood

3. It is used for pain management

4. It has no role

The correct answer is: It helps remove harmful substances from the blood

Plasmapheresis plays a crucial role in the management of conditions associated with bullous lesions, particularly autoimmune diseases like pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid. This therapeutic procedure involves the separation and removal of plasma from the blood, which helps eliminate autoantibodies and other harmful substances that contribute to the formation of bullae (blisters). By reducing the levels of these detrimental components in the bloodstream, plasmapheresis can lead to an improvement in skin lesions and a decrease in disease activity. The other options, while having their importance, do not accurately represent the primary function of plasmapheresis in this context. For instance, while promoting rapid healing and pain management are desirable outcomes in treating skin conditions, these are not direct roles of plasmapheresis itself. Instead, the procedure focuses on the biochemical aspect of removing elements from the plasma that are responsible for exacerbating the skin lesions. Thus, option B accurately captures the essence of how plasmapheresis aids in the management of bullous lesions.