Laboratory Science Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine

Question 1

Which blood type is considered the universal donor for red blood cell transfusions?

Accepted Answer

Type O negative

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Detect clinically significant unexpected antibodies in patient serum

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

1-6°C

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

AS-1 (Additive Solution-1/Adsol)

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Recipient serum and donor red cells

Answer

The major crossmatch tests recipient serum against donor red cells to detect antibodies that could destroy the transfused cells.

Laboratory Science Practice Test