Haematology- Blood Transfusion: Background

Question 1

Why may someone need a blood tranfusion?

Answer 1

Not enough blood- either bleeding, or failure of production

Question 2

What are some of the things to consider before someone can donate blood?

Answer 2

Health of donor
Exposure to infectious agents- sexual history, travel, tattoos

Question 3

Which infectious agents are blood donors screened for?

Answer 3

Hep B/C/E
HIV
Syphilis
HTLV

->sometimes malaria, Zika, West Nile virus

->Also tested for ABO and Rh blood groups

Question 4

What measurement are RBCs prescribed by?

Answer 4

Unit

-a unit is the amount of blood from one donor

Question 6

At what temperature are RBCs stored?

Answer 6

4 degrees C

Question 7

Over what time period are RBCs tranfused?

Answer 7

2-4hrs

Question 8

List some of the indications for RBC transfusion.

Answer 8

To correct severe acute anaemia, which might otherwise cause organ damage

To improve quality of life in patient with otherwise uncorrectable anaemia

To prepare a patient for surgery or speed up recovery

To reverse damage caused by patient’s own red cells e.g. Sickle Cell Disease

Question 9

At what temperature are platelets stored?

Answer 9

-22 degrees C

Question 10

Over what time period do you transfuse plasma?

Answer 10

20-30mins

Question 10

List some of the conditions whereby platelets are transfused.

Answer 10

Bone marrow failure
Massive haemorrhage
Prophylaxis for surgery
Cardiopulmonary bypass
Congenital platelet disorders

Question 11

FFP= fresh frozen plasma.
How long does FFP take to thaw?

Answer 11

30mins, cannot be rushed

->need to think ahead if requiring it/might require it

Question 12

How do blood groups arise?

Answer 12

Arise from antigens

Question 13

If someone has blood group A, which antibodies do they have?

Answer 13

Antibodies against B

Question 14

If someone has blood group B, which antibodies do they have?

Answer 14

Antibodies against A

Question 15

If someone has blood group O, which antibodies do they have?

Answer 15

Antibodies against A and B

Question 18

If someone has blood group AB, which antibodies do they have?

Answer 18

No antibodies against A or B

Question 18

What is the most common blood type?

Answer 18

Blood type O

Question 19

If the RBC donor is blood group O, who can have that blood?

Answer 19

Everyone

Question 20

If the RBC donor is blood group A, who can have that blood?

Answer 20

People with blood group A or O

Question 21

If the RBC donor is blood group B, who can have that blood?

Answer 21

People with blood group B or AB

Question 22

If the RBC donor is blood group AB, who can have that blood?

Answer 22

People with blood group AB

Question 23

If the FFP donor is blood group A, who can have that blood?

Answer 23

People with type A or O blood

Question 24

If the FFP donor is blood group B, who can have that blood?

Answer 24

People with type B or AB blood

Question 25

If the FFP donor is blood group AB, who can have that blood?

Answer 25

All blood types

Question 26

If the FFP donor is blood group O, who can have that blood?

Answer 26

Only blood type O

Question 27

If you need blood in an emergency, which blood can always be given?

Answer 27

O negative blood ->2 units kept in every operating theatre, we are always short. If you know they are blood type A and have type A blood, use that instead.

Question 28

What is the only immunoglobulin that can cross the placenta?

Answer 28

IgG