Blood Groups and Transfusion

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of blood group antigens on the red cell surface?

To facilitate red cell clumping

To help distinguish between compatible and incompatible blood types (correct)

To produce antibodies against non-self antigens

To stimulate an immune response

What is the primary difference between naturally occurring antibodies and immune antibodies?

Immune antibodies are produced following contact with blood group antigens

Immune antibodies are inherited from one's parents

Naturally occurring antibodies are specific to the individual's ABO group

Naturally occurring antibodies are produced following exposure to environmental antigens (correct)

What is the purpose of the ABO blood group system?

To regulate the expression of blood group antigens on the red cell surface

To classify blood types into A, B, AB, and O groups (correct)

To facilitate the production of antibodies against non-self antigens

To determine an individual's susceptibility to haemolytic disease

What is the inheritance pattern of the ABO blood group system?

Co-dominant, with A and B being equally expressed Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the universal donor and recipient in transfusion medicine?

Group O is the universal donor, and Group AB is the universal recipient Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of transfusing incompatible blood?

Red cell destruction (haemolysis) in vivo Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason why Nurse 1 didn't check the patient's identity band?

Nurse 1 was familiar with the patient and assumed they knew their identity Signup and view all the answers

Why did Nurse 1 remove the patient's ID band?

Because it was making it difficult to remove one of the patient's intravenous cannulas Signup and view all the answers

What was the error made by Nurse 2?

Nurse 2 requested the unit for their own patient in error Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for transfusion safety?

Positive patient identification Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of organizing a blood transfusion?

To ensure the correct blood component is transfused to the patient Signup and view all the answers

What is the learning objective related to blood grouping?

To explain how blood grouping affects the choice of components for transfusion Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of administering Anti-D immunoglobulin to RhD negative women?

To prevent haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'Two sample rule' in pre-transfusion sampling?

It doubles the safety of the transfusion process Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of giving RhD positive red cells to an RhD negative recipient?

Haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'crossmatch' test in laboratory testing?

To confirm the compatibility of donor and recipient blood Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary symptom of an acute haemolytic reaction?

Pain in the chest or loins Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to positively identify the patient before transfusing?

To confirm the patient's identity and prevent mismatch Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Blood Group Antigens and Antibodies

Blood group antigens are proteins or polysaccharides on the surface of red blood cells, determined by genes and capable of stimulating antibody production.
Antibodies are immunoglobulins in plasma that react with a specific antigen, produced against antigens not present on a patient's own red cells.
There are two types of antibodies: naturally occurring (formed following exposure to environmental antigens similar to blood group antigens) and immune antibodies (formed following contact with blood group antigens).

ABO Blood Group System

The ABO blood group system consists of polysaccharide antigens O, A, and B.
Naturally-occurring antibodies are anti-A and anti-B.
ABO grouping is performed by mixing patient cells with specific antisera and patient plasma with known red cells.
ABO inheritance is determined by the genes encoding enzymes capable of synthesizing A and B antigens.
The ABO blood group frequencies vary, but Group O is the universal donor and Group AB is the universal recipient.

Clinical Significance

Recipients with anti-A or anti-B must not be transfused with donor cells expressing the corresponding antigen.
Positive patient identification is essential to transfusion safety.

Rh Blood Group System

The Rh ("Rhesus") blood group system consists of transmembrane proteins, with >50 antigens, and 'D' being the most immunogenic.
Antibodies are immune only and form following exposure to RhD positive red cells through transfusion, pregnancy, or transplantation.
RhD inheritance is determined by one gene (D/d) from each parent, with one copy of D making an individual D positive.
RhD blood group frequencies vary, but it is essential to avoid giving RhD positive red cells to RhD negative recipients, especially women of child-bearing potential.

Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn

Consequences of haemolytic disease include foetal anaemia and neonatal jaundice, which can cause brain damage.
Prevention involves administering anti-D immunoglobulin to RhD negative women to 'mop up' any RhD positive red cells entering maternal circulation.

Blood Transfusion

Blood components include whole blood, red cells, platelets, fresh frozen plasma, plasma cryoprecipitate, clotting factor concentrates, immunoglobulins, and albumin.
Ten steps are involved in transfusion, including pre-transfusion sampling, laboratory testing, and giving a transfusion.
Positive patient identification is crucial before transfusing, and the patient's blood group and the donor unit's blood group must be confirmed.

Acute Haemolytic Reaction

Onset is within minutes, causing intravascular haemolysis and a massive inflammatory reaction.
Symptoms and signs include restlessness, fever, pain, tachycardia, nausea, and abnormal bleeding.
Consequences can be severe, including shock, clotting abnormalities, renal failure, and death.

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Description

Learn about the science of blood groups, blood group antibodies, and their clinical implications for transfusion and pregnancy. Understand the differences between naturally occurring and immune antibodies, and the features of ABO and Rh blood group systems.