Molecular testing for blood groups in transfusion meds

Question 1

1. True or false? The process of changing DNA to RNA is
   called translation.

Answer 1

. False (DNA is transcribed to mRNA)

Question 2

2. True or false? A single nucleotide change can give rise
   to a null blood group phenotype.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

3. True or false? A blood group can be predicted by testing DNA extracted from WBCs.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

4. A single nucleotide change can cause which of the
   following:
   a. no change in the codon for an amino acid
   b. a stop codon
   c. a change from one amino acid to another
   d. all of the above

Answer 4

d. all of the above

Question 5

5. A PCR-based assay:
   a. has limitations
   b. gives a prediction of a blood group
   c. amplifies a specific sequence of DNA
   d. all of the above

Answer 5

d. all of the above

Question 6

6. For antigen prediction in the neonatal setting, the most
   common source of fetal DNA is:
   a. amniocytes
   b. fetal RBCs
   c. cord blood
   d. endothelial cells

Answer 6

a. amniocytes

Question 7

7. Antigen prediction by DNA analysis is:
   a. indicated only for patient testing and is not applicable for donor testing
   b. used to determine weakly expressed antigens
   c. used to predict antigens when licensed FDA antisera
   are not available
   d. b and c

Answer 7

d. b and c

Question 8

8. In the transfusion setting, DNA analysis is a valuable adjunct to hemagglutination testing for all of the following
   circumstances except:
   a. for patients with a negative DAT and no history of transfusion
   b. for patients who require chronic RBC transfusions
   c. for predicting antigens to determine what alloantibodies a patient can produce
   d. for patients with a positive DAT and a warm autoantibody

Answer 8

a. for patients with a negative DAT and no history of transfusion

Question 9

9. Which of the following statements is true about antigen
   testing in a recently multiply-transfused patient?

a. Antigen typing by routine hemagglutination methods gives accurate results.
b. The transfused donor RBCs can be easily distinguished from the patient’s own RBCs.
c. DNA analysis is an effective tool for antigen prediction.
d. Antigen typing is not required to manage these
patients.

Answer 9

c. DNA analysis is an effective tool for antigen prediction.