Laboratory Science Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which blood type is considered the universal donor for red blood cell transfusions?
- Type A negative
- Type O negative (Correct answer)
- Type O positive
- Type AB negative
Correct answer: Type O negative
Type O negative lacks A, B, and Rh(D) antigens, making it safe to transfuse to recipients of any blood type.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the antibody screen in pre-transfusion testing?
- Detect clinically significant unexpected antibodies in patient serum (Correct answer)
- Determine the patient's ABO blood type
- Test donor blood for infectious diseases
- Match donor and recipient platelet antigens
Correct answer: Detect clinically significant unexpected antibodies in patient serum
The antibody screen detects unexpected clinically significant antibodies in the patient's serum that could cause a hemolytic transfusion reaction.
Question 3: At what temperature should packed red blood cell units be stored?
- 1-6°C (Correct answer)
- 20-24°C
- -18°C or below
- 37°C
Correct answer: 1-6°C
Red blood cells are stored at 1-6°C to slow cellular metabolism and bacterial growth while preventing freezing.
Question 4: Which additive solution extends the shelf life of red blood cell units to 42 days?
- ACD (Acid Citrate Dextrose)
- CPD (Citrate Phosphate Dextrose)
- CPDA-1 (Citrate Phosphate Dextrose Adenine)
- AS-1 (Additive Solution-1/Adsol) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: AS-1 (Additive Solution-1/Adsol)
Additive solutions such as AS-1 (Adsol) provide adenine, glucose, and saline that extend RBC shelf life to 42 days.
Question 5: The major crossmatch tests compatibility between which two components?
- Recipient serum and donor red cells (Correct answer)
- Donor serum and recipient red cells
- Donor and recipient platelets only
- Donor and recipient plasma proteins
Correct answer: Recipient serum and donor red cells
The major crossmatch tests recipient serum against donor red cells to detect antibodies that could destroy the transfused cells.
Question 6: Which blood component is the preferred choice for a patient with hypofibrinogenemia?
- Packed red blood cells
- Fresh frozen plasma
- Platelet concentrate
- Cryoprecipitate (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Cryoprecipitate
Cryoprecipitate is the most concentrated source of fibrinogen and is the preferred product for treating hypofibrinogenemia.
Question 7: What is the correct storage condition for platelet concentrates?
- 1-6°C with continuous agitation
- -18°C or below
- 37°C without agitation
- 20-24°C with continuous agitation (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 20-24°C with continuous agitation
Platelets must be stored at 20-24°C with gentle continuous agitation; refrigeration causes irreversible platelet activation and loss of function.
Laboratory Science Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine 1
Which blood type is considered the universal donor for red blood cell transfusions?