Blood Transfusions and Blood Types Quiz

Questions and Answers

To replace blood lost during surgery or major accidents

Red blood cells

The red blood cells agglutinate

AB0 and Rh blood groups Signup and view all the answers

The release of toxic contents into the body Signup and view all the answers

Because some blood types are rare in certain areas or hospitals might be out of stock Signup and view all the answers

The red blood cells will clump or agglutinate Signup and view all the answers

To act against foreign substances in the body Signup and view all the answers

People with AB Rh+ blood Signup and view all the answers

O Rh- blood Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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 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.

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.

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".

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.

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.