Final answer:
Fresh frozen plasma must be placed in a freezer within 8 hours after the collection to preserve the coagulation factors necessary for transfusion treatments in various medical conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Plasma is considered fresh frozen plasma (FFP) if it is placed in a freezer within 8 hours after collection. FFP is plasma that has been separated from collected blood and rapidly frozen to preserve the coagulation factors. This blood component is used in the treatment of patients with a deficiency of coagulation factors, such as those with liver disease, undergoing heart surgery, or facing massive transfusions. The quick freezing process is vital to maintain the functionality of these clotting factors. Blood samples must be properly collected, usually into a tube with an anticoagulant like EDTA or heparin, and then centrifuged to obtain the plasma before the freezing process can begin.