skip to main content

Normal Fibrinogen 1.5-4.0 g/L — FRCA Primary MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardPhysiology - Gastrointestinal & HepaticNormal Fibrinogen 1.5-4.0 g/LFRCA Primary

During major haemorrhage, fibrinogen concentration falls early. Which property best explains why low fibrinogen impairs clot strength even when platelet count is adequate?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Fibrinogen is the soluble precursor polymerised by thrombin into fibrin

The best answer is “Fibrinogen is the soluble precursor polymerised by thrombin into fibrin”. Thrombin cleaves soluble fibrinogen to fibrin monomers, which polymerise and are cross-linked to provide clot structure. Platelets bind fibrinogen through GPIIb/IIIa, but fibrinogen is not itself the platelet receptor. Factors II, VII, IX and X are vitamin-K-dependent; protein C is anticoagulant and plasminogen activation promotes fibrinolysis.

Reference: RCoA, Primary FRCA syllabus: https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2026-01/Primary-FRCA-Syllabus.pdf; Hemostatic balance in acute liver failure: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7786276/