Transfusion Compatibility



Transfusion Compatibility

In different individuals, red blood cells are covered with specific molecules on the surfaces of their membranes which allow them to do their job of delivering oxygen to tissues. These molecules (also called antigens) can differ among individuals. There are two main types of blood antigens: A and B. Some people have only A antigens, thus Type A blood. Some have type B blood. Some have both A and B antigens on their blood cells, and their blood type is called AB. People who have no antigens on their blood cells have Type O blood.

You are a nurse at Boston Medical Center, and you are responsible for coordinating transfusions to patients in the ER. For the following scenarios, determine what blood types are appropriate for the patient, and explain your choice.

1) A 12 year old boy got his hand mangled in a lawn mower, and needs 3 pints of blood. His blood type is A. Which type(s) of infusions would be compatible for him?

a. Type A

b. Type B

c. Type AB

d. Type O

2) A 45 year old gun shot victim requires 2 liters of blood, but there is no information available about his blood type. Doing a quick test, you find that when his blood is combined with A or B antibodies, it does not clot. What could be the patient’s blood type?

a. Type A

b. Type B

c. Type AB

d. Type O

3) If you are unable to get any additional information about this patient’s blood type, what is your recommendation for the type of transfusion that he should receive?

a. Type A

b. Type B

c. Type AB

d. Type O

4) What do you expect to happen if a patient with Type O blood receives a Type AB transfusion?

5) What do you expect to happen if a patient with Type AB blood receives a Type O transfusion?

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