Chapter 13 Donor Selection

Question 1

Why is important to screen donors?

Answer 1

The safety of the blood supply depends on thorough and accurate donor screening and processing or testing of each unit collected

Question 2

What general information about the donor is verified and documented?

Answer 2

Donor’s full name (proof of ID with photo)
Permanent address and contact information
Date of birth
Gender
Date of last donation

Question 3

What is the donor given upon registration to give blood?

Answer 3

Educational materials are provided
Health history interview

Question 4

What are the age eligibility requirements?

Answer 4

Age:
17 or older
61 and over and first time, require a doctor’s note
71 and over, long time donors, require a doctor’s note

Question 5

What is the min weight to donate blood?

Answer 5

Weight:
At least 110 pounds

Question 6

What are the hemoglobin level requirements for donating blood?

Answer 6

Hemoglobin level:
Must be at least 125 g/L for women, and 130 g/L for men

Question 7

What are the general health requirements to donate blood?

Answer 7

Health:
Must be in general good health
Must be feeling well on the day you donate
You should have eaten and slept well

Question 8

What are the intervals between donations for whole blood?

Answer 8

Interval between donations:
Whole blood
Minimum 56 days for men
Minimum 84 days for women
Plasma donation must have been 7 days ago
Platelet donations must have been 14 days ago

Question 9

What are the intervals of time between plasma and platelet donations?

Answer 9

Plasma donation must have been 7 days ago
Platelet donations must have been 14 days ago

Question 10

After fulfilling general requirements what is next for the donor?

Answer 10

You can continue with donor selection by going through a screening process.

Screening involves a series of questions to determine your eligibility.

Question 11

What are things the donor must do when they donate blood? Rights of the donor?

Answer 11

1. Sign a consent form
2. Pass a health assessment
3. Temperature, pulse, hemoglobin, and blood pressure
4. Must be allowed privacy
5. Must be given opportunity to self-exclude themselves

Question 12

What are the two categories of questions asked of the donor?

Answer 12

1. Those intended to protect the donor (e.g., regarding pregnancy)
2. Those intended to protect the recipient

Question 13

What are the two categories of deferral for the donor?

Answer 13

Depending on the results of the medical history or prior tests, a donor may be
1. Indefinitely or permanently deferred
2. Temporarily deferred

Question 14

What are reasons for permanent deferral?

Answer 14

Hepatitis
Chronic disease
Drug addiction
AIDS
Paid for sex
Origin or residence in certain countries

Malaria – Permanent and temporary deferral policies

Question 15

What are reasons for temporary deferral?

Answer 15

Vaccination
Surgery
Medication
Illness
Dental work
STI
Pregnancy
Tattoos and body piercing
Men who have had sex with men

Question 16

How much blood is typically collected and how long does it take?

Answer 16

~450-480mL of whole blood
10-15 minutes

Question 17

What is used to clean the skin before blood is taken?

Answer 17

Use chlorohexidine gluconate to clean the skin (iodine if allergic to this antiseptic)

Question 18

What adverse donor reactions can occur?

Answer 18

1. Weakness, sweating, dizziness, pallor, nausea and vomiting. [Remove needle/tourniquet, elevate legs above head, cold compress]
2. Syncope (fainting) [Cold compress on back of neck]
3. Twitching, muscle spasms. [Have donor cough]
4. Hematoma [Apply pressure for 7-10 mins, then ice for 5 mins]
5. Convulsions [Prevent falling, call for help]
6. Cardiac difficulties [Begin resuscitation, call for emergency help]

Question 19

What post-donation instructions are given to donors?

Answer 19

Rest for 5 to 10 minutes
Drink additional fluids
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol after donating
Remove the bandage after a few hours
Avoid anything strenuous for 6 to 8 hours
Lie or sit down if dizziness or fainting occurs
Notify the blood center if symptoms persist
Contact the donor center with any concerns about blood safety

Question 20

What post-donations care are given to donors?

Answer 20

Rest for 5 to 10 minutes
Drink additional fluids
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol after donating
Remove the bandage after a few hours
Avoid anything strenuous for 6 to 8 hours
Lie or sit down if dizziness or fainting occurs
Notify the blood center if symptoms persist
Contact the donor center with any concerns about blood safety

Question 21

What is an allogenic blood donations?

Answer 21

Allogeneic donations: donations for the general population (for an anonymous patient)

Question 22

What is an autologous blood donations?

Answer 22

Autologous donations: donations for personal use
Must be able to meet certain criteria

Question 23

What are advantages and disadvantages of autologous blood donations?

Answer 23

See table 13.8

Question 24

What are directed donations?

Answer 24

Donations are directed to specific recipients
Donors must meet the same criteria as for allogeneic donations

Question 25

Is a directed donation safer than an allogeneic donation?

Answer 25

No evidence supports the theory that directed donations are safer than allogeneic donations

Question 26

What is the only type of directed donation that CBS allows?

Answer 26

CBS only allows parent to minor child

CBS discourages directed donations except where family members have a blood type that is a match for a very rare recepient.

Question 27

What is apheresis?

Answer 27

Components are separated, and the remaining blood is returned to the donor

Question 28

What are the different types of apheresis?

Answer 28

Plateletpheresis
Plasmapheresis
Red cell apheresis

Question 29

What do they recommend you do before you donate blood?

Answer 29

Eat salty food and drink lots of fluids prior to donating blood.