12.6 Blood Transfusions: Products and Components

Question 1

What three components can be given during component therapy blood transfusions?

Answer 1

• Plasma
• Red blood cells
• Platelets

Question 2

What three products can be given during product therapy blood transfusions?

Answer 2

• Immunoglobulins
• Albumin
• Clotting factors

Question 3

What surface protein determines whether someone’s blood type is “positive” or “negative”?

Answer 3

The D antigen

Question 4

What causes blood type incompatibility?

Answer 4

If there is a blood type that the patient has an antibody to, or if the D antigen is present in the donor blood AND not in the recipient blood

Question 5

What antibodies are produced by people with ABO types of blood?

Answer 5

A: B antibodies
B: A antibodies
AB: neither antibodies
O: both antibodies

Question 6

What are the three pillars of Patient Blood Management?

Answer 6

• Optimise RBC mass
• Minimise blood loss
• Manage anaemia

Question 7

List some serious hazards associated with blood transfusion

Answer 7

• Patient ID errors leading to wrong blood
• Inappropriate, delayed, under/over transfusion
• Transfusion associated circulatory overload (TACO)
• Transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI)
• Bacterial infection
• Anaphylaxis
• Acute/delayed haemolysis

Question 8

How is the safety of the Australian blood supply ensured?

Answer 8

Donor screening:
- Tattoos
- Overseas travel
- Iron deficiency
- Risky sexual activity
- Recreational Drugs

Mandatory testing:
- RhD and ABO testing
- Transfusion-transmissible infections
- Red cell antibody screening

Question 9

List some possible adverse effects of blood transfusion

Answer 9

• Haemolysis
• Anaphylaxis
• Transfusion-mediated infection
• Purpura
• Iron overload