Hem & Onc - Physiology (Blood Groups)

Question 1

What will you find on the RBC surface and in the plasma of patients in blood group A?

Answer 1

A antigen on RBC surface & anti-B antibody in plasma

Question 2

What will you find on the RBC surface and in the plasma of patients in blood group B?

Answer 2

B antigen on RBC surface & anti-A antibody in plasma

Question 3

What will you find on the RBC surface and in the plasma of patients in blood group AB?

Answer 3

A and B antigens on RBC surface & no antibodies in plasma

Question 4

What will you find on the RBC surface and in the plasma of patients in blood group O?

Answer 4

Neither A nor B antigen on RBC surface; both antibodies in plasma

Question 5

Which blood group is considered the “universal donor of plasma”, and why?

Answer 5

AB - because it does not have any antibodies in its plasma (i.e., nothing to attack the blood cells of any recipient)

Question 6

Which blood group is considered the “universal donor of RBCs”, and why?

Answer 6

O - because it has neither A nor B antigen on RBC surface (i.e., nothing for antibodies in recipient plasma to attack)

Question 7

Which blood group is considered the “universal recipient of plasma”, and why?

Answer 7

O - because it has neither A nor B antigen on RBC surface (i.e., nothing for antibodies in donor plasma to attack)

Question 8

Which blood group is considered the “universal recipient of RBCS”, and why?

Answer 8

AB - because it has no antibodies in plasma (i.e., nothing to attack donor blood cells)

Question 9

In terms of blood transfusions, how is AB blood type “universally” regarded?

Answer 9

Universal donor of plasma & recipient of RBCs

Question 10

In terms of blood transfusions, how is O blood type “universally” regarded?

Answer 10

Universal donor of RBCs & recipient of plasma

Question 11

What is Rh antigen?

Answer 11

Antigen that may be found on RBC surface (in addition to A and B antigens)

Question 12

What are the key differences between anti-A and anti-B antibodies versus anti-Rh antibodies?

Answer 12

anti-A and anti-B = IgM (do not cross placenta); anti-Rh = IgG (does cross placenta)

Question 13

What should you be concerned about for Rh- women who are pregnant, when, and why?

Answer 13

WHAT: Hemolytic disease of the newborn (erythroblastosis fetalis) WHEN: Subsequent pregnancies (with Rh+ fetus, AFTER birth of a preceding Rh+ fetus) WHY: Rh- mothers exposed to fetal Rh+ blood (often during delivery) may make anti-Rh IgG. In subsequent pregnancies, anti-Rh IgG crosses the placenta, causing hemolytic disease of the newborn (erythroblastosis fetalis) in the next fetus that is Rh+

Question 14

Again, what is erythroblastosis fetalis? What is given to prevent it, and why?

Answer 14

Rh- mothers exposed to fetal Rh+ blood (often during delivery) may make anti-Rh IgG. In subsequent pregnancies, anti-Rh IgG crosses the placenta, causing hemolytic disease of the newborn (erythroblastosis fetalis) in the next fetus that is Rh+; Rho (D) immune globulin for mother at first delivery to prevent initial sensitization of Rh- mother to Rh antigen

Question 15

What effects can incompatible blood transfusions have on patients?

Answer 15

Immunologic response, hemolysis, renal failure, shock, death