Blood Transfusion and Blood Groups

• Blood transfusion is introducing whole blood or its components into a patient's venous circulation.
• The purpose of blood transfusion is to restore blood volume, oxygen-carrying capacity, and administer necessary blood components.

Blood Products

• Common blood products include whole blood, packed red blood cells (PRBC), autologous blood, fresh frozen plasma, platelets, albumin, cryoprecipitate, and plasma protein factor.

Blood Groups

• Blood groups are categorized as Group A, Group B, Group AB, and Group O, based on the presence of specific antigens on red blood cells and corresponding antibodies in the plasma.
• Group A has A antigens on red blood cells and anti-B antibodies in the plasma.
• Group B has B antigens on red blood cells and anti-A antibodies in the plasma.
• Group AB has both A and B antigens on red blood cells and no antibodies in the plasma.
• Group O has no antigens on red blood cells and both anti-A and anti-B antibodies in the plasma.

Blood Rh Factor

• The Rh factor determines if a person's blood is positive or negative.

Blood Transfusion Equipment

• Essential equipment includes the blood product, PNSS (0.9% Normal Saline Solution), a BT set (Y-set), IV catheters and needles, clean gloves, alcohol swabs, an IV pole, and optionally, an infusion pump.

Blood Typing and Crossmatching

• Blood typing determines the presence of ABO and Rh antigens in a patient's blood.
• Crossmatching identifies potential interactions between minor antigens and corresponding antibodies by using the Direct Coombs test

Transfusion Reactions

• Transfusion reactions can be allergic, febrile, or hemolytic, and range from mild to severe.
• Allergic reactions include facial flushing and hives/rash.
• Febrile reactions present as fever, chills, anxiety, and headache.
• Hemolytic reactions: hemoglobinuria, chest pain, apprehension, low back pain, chills, fever, tachycardia, and increased respiratory rate.

Administering the Transfusion

• Prior to a blood transfusion, assess the client's vital signs, physical condition (including fluid balance and the status of the infusion site), check for unusual symptoms, and confirm the number and type of units, desired infusion speed, pre-medications, and patient's consent.
• Check the IV line, hand hygiene and apply gloves,
• Prepare the infusion equipment, close all clamps on the Y-set, spike the saline solution, and hang the IV bag.
• Open the upper clamp on the saline to cover the filter, prime the tubing, then connect to the client and start the saline solution.
• Mix the blood bag, expose the port, spike with the remaining Y set, and hang on the IV pole.
• Close the upper clamp below the saline and open the upper clamp below the blood bag, then readjust the flow rate.
• Observe the client for the initial 15 minutes at a slow flow rate (1-2ml/min) while assessing for any transfusion reactions and checking vital signs.
• Adjust the flow rate after 15 minutes if no reactions are observed.
• Document the procedure with its start date and time, vital signs, blood type, sequence number, catheter size and rate, completion date and time, and the amount absorbed.
• The blood should not be left at room temperature for more than 30 minutes

Blood transfusion involves introducing blood or its components into a patient's circulation to restore volume and oxygen capacity. Blood products include whole blood, PRBC, plasma, and platelets. Blood groups are categorized as A, B, AB, and O based on antigens and antibodies.