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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of a blood transfusion?
What is the primary purpose of a blood transfusion?
What is the most common component of blood transfused during an injury or surgery?
What is the most common component of blood transfused during an injury or surgery?
What happens when the receiver of a blood transfusion has antibodies that work against the donor blood cells?
What happens when the receiver of a blood transfusion has antibodies that work against the donor blood cells?
What must be compatible between the donor blood and the patient blood for a successful blood transfusion?
What must be compatible between the donor blood and the patient blood for a successful blood transfusion?
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What can occur when the agglutinated red blood cells crack open?
What can occur when the agglutinated red blood cells crack open?
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Why do people need to know which blood types are compatible?
Why do people need to know which blood types are compatible?
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What happens when the red blood cells from the donated blood are not compatible with the patient's blood?
What happens when the red blood cells from the donated blood are not compatible with the patient's blood?
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What is the role of antibodies in the body?
What is the role of antibodies in the body?
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Who can receive blood from all blood types?
Who can receive blood from all blood types?
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What type of blood can be given to people of all other blood types in emergency situations?
What type of blood can be given to people of all other blood types in emergency situations?
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Study Notes
Blood Transfusions
- A blood transfusion involves taking blood from one person (a donor) and giving it to another to replace blood lost in major accidents or during life-saving operations.
- Knowing the patient's blood type is crucial to ensure safe blood transfusions, as mixing incompatible blood types can be dangerous and lethal.
Blood Components
- Early blood transfusions used whole blood, but modern medical practice commonly uses only components of the blood, such as red blood cells or plasma.
- Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused part of the blood, especially for patients who have lost blood due to injury or surgery, or have anemia.
Blood Transfusion Process
- Blood transfusions are usually given through a tiny tube inserted into a vein with a small needle.
- Immunological reactions occur when the receiver of a blood transfusion has antibodies that work against the donor blood cells, causing the red blood cells to clump or agglutinate.
Agglutination Reaction
- Agglutinated red blood cells can clog blood vessels and stop the circulation of blood to various parts of the body.
- Agglutinated red blood cells can also crack open, leaking toxic contents out in the body, which can have fatal consequences for the patient.
Blood Type Compatibility
- For a blood transfusion to be successful, AB0 and Rh blood groups must be compatible between the donor blood and the patient blood.
- The goal is to give the same blood type as the patient's, but some blood types may be rare or unavailable, making it necessary to know which blood types are "compatible".
Compatible Blood Types
- A person with blood type B Rh- has A and Rh antibodies and cannot receive a blood transfusion with red blood cells that have A and Rh antigens.
- People with O Rh- blood can only receive O Rh- blood, while people with O Rh+ can receive both O Rh+ and O Rh- blood.
- People with blood type AB Rh+ can receive blood from all blood types and are called Universal receivers.
Exceptions in Emergencies
- In emergencies, there are exceptions to the rule that the donor's blood type must match the recipient's exactly.
- Blood type O Rh- is the only type of blood that people of all other blood types can receive, making it used in situations where time is critical.
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Description
Test your knowledge on blood transfusions, blood types, and the importance of matching compatible blood types for safe transfusions. Learn about the history and components of blood used in modern medical practice.
