Blood products

Question 1

How long is the lifespan of a RBC?

Answer 1

90- 120 days

Question 2

How long is the lifespan of platelets?

Answer 2

10 days

Question 3

How long is the lifespan of neutrophils?

Answer 3

4 days

Question 4

How long is the lifespan of transfused RBC’s?

Answer 4

Transfused red cells last around 50-60 days.

Question 5

What is the transfusion threshold for people with ACS?

Answer 5

70g/L

Question 6

What is the target after the transfusion for someone with ACS?

Answer 6

70-90g/L

Question 7

What is the transfusion threshold for someone without ACS?

Answer 7

80g/L

Question 8

What is the target after the transfusion for somone without ACS?

Answer 8

80-100g/L

Question 9

What temperature should RBC’s be stored prior to transfusion?

Answer 9

4 degrees

Question 10

At what speed should a unit of RBC’s be transfused in a non-urgent scenario?

Answer 10

A unit of FBC is usually transfused over 90-120 mins

Question 11

What are packed red blood cells used for?

Answer 11

Transfusion in chronic anaemia and cases where infusion of large volumes of fluid may result in cardiovascular compromise

Question 12

What is the function of Platelet rich plasma?

Answer 12

Patients who are thrombocytopaenic and are bleeding or require surgery

Question 13

What is the function of Platelet concentrate?

Answer 13

Thrombocytopenia

Question 14

What is the function of Fresh frozen plasma?

Answer 14

Correcting clotting deficiencies in patients with hepatic synthetic failure who are due to undergo surgery.

Question 15

What does Fresh Frozen Plasma contain?

Answer 15

Clotting factors
Albumin
Immunoglobulins

Question 16

What is Cryoprecipitate?

Answer 16

Formed from supernatant of FFP
Rich source of Factor VIII and fibrinogen

Question 17

What is cryopreciptate a rich source of?

Answer 17

Factor VIII and fibrinogen.

Question 18

What are Irradiated blood products depleted of?

Answer 18

They are depleted of T-lymphocytes

Question 19

What is the function of irradiated blood products?

Answer 19

Used to avoid transfusion-associated graft versus host disease

Question 20

When would irradiated blood products be indicated?

Answer 20

Granulocyte transfusions
Intra-uterine transfusions
Neonates up to 28 days post expected date of delivery
Bone marrow / stem cell transplants Immunocompromised (e.g. chemotherapy or congenital)
Patients with/previous Hodgkin lymphoma

Question 21

What is the usual dose of FFP?

Answer 21

12-15ml/kg

Question 22

When should FFP not be used first line?

Answer 22

Hypovolaemia

Question 23

What is teh function of Prothrombin complex concentrate?

Answer 23

Emergency reversal of anticoagulation severe bleeding or a head injury with suspected intracerebral haemorrhage

Question 24

What is the first step in the immediate reversal of warfarin?

Answer 24

Stop warfarin

Question 25

What is the second step in the reversal of warfarin?

Answer 25

Give vitamin K
or
Fresh frozen plasma
or
human prothrombin complex

Question 26

How long does IV vitamin K take to reverse warfarin?

Answer 26

4-6 hours

Question 27

How long does oral vitamin K take to work?

Answer 27

Oral can take 24 hours

Question 28

How long can human prothrombin complex take to reverse warfarin?

Answer 28

An hour

Question 29

What should be given along with human prothrombin complex?

Answer 29

Vitamin K

Question 30

When would you used FFP in the reversal of warfarin?

Answer 30

When human prothrombin complex isn’t available

Question 31

What do you need to give with FFP when reversing warfarin?

Answer 31

Need to give at least 1L fluid in 70kg person

Also need to match blood group