7. Blood Transfusion

Question 1

How is blood processed for storage?

Answer 1

Taken by aseptic technique
Spun to separate RBCs from plasma and platelets
WBCs filtered out
Tested for pathogens and blood type
Sodium citrate binds Ca and prevents clumping
Dextrose provides energy

Question 2

What is grouping?

Answer 2

Determining red cell antigens in blood of donor and recipient

Question 3

Define agglutination

Answer 3

Clumping of cells in the presence of an antibody

Question 4

Cross-matching

Answer 4

Mix donor and recipient blood
If blood agglutinates the donor blood is not suitable
Ensures no ABO or antibody errors

Question 5

What are the consequences of a transfusion reaction?

Answer 5

Mismatched blood causes agglutination and haemolysis

Renal damage, anuria, death

Question 6

What happens in haemolytic disease of newborn?

Answer 6

Foetus exposes mother to Rh+ antigen at birth

Stimulates Rh+ antigen in the mother which are transferred to next child across placenta and attacks child’s RBCs

Question 7

How is haemolytic disease of newborn treated?

Answer 7

Administering D antibodies post partum to the mother

Gets rid of antigen before a full immune response can take place

Question 8

What is autologous transfusion?

Answer 8

Patient pre-deposits their own blood before surgery