A patient with O+ blood is waiting for a transfusion. In the blood bank, the following blood groups are available. Which is the most appropriate one for the patient?

1. A

   O

2. B

   A+

3. C

   AB+

4. D

   Any blood group

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO-2016

Explanation

• Individuals with Type O blood have both anti-A and anti-B antibodies in their plasma.
• Transfusing blood with A or B antigens (like Type A, B, or AB) would cause the recipient's antibodies to attack the donor red blood cells, leading to a severe hemolytic reaction.
• Group O blood lacks both A and B antigens, making it the only safe option for a Type O recipient.
• The patient is Rh-positive (O+), so they can receive either O-positive or O-negative blood. The option 'O' correctly covers this compatibility.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option B: A+ blood contains A antigens on the red blood cells. These would be attacked by the anti-A antibodies present in the O+ patient's plasma, causing a transfusion reaction.
• Option C: AB+ blood contains both A and B antigens. These would be attacked by both the anti-A and anti-B antibodies in the O+ patient's plasma, causing a severe transfusion reaction.
• Option D: This is incorrect because blood transfusions require strict compatibility. Giving an incompatible blood type (any group other than O) to an O-type patient can be fatal.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Blood group compatibility for transfusion (ABO and Rh systems) to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
• A nurse's primary responsibility during blood transfusion is patient safety, which begins with verifying blood compatibility. This involves a two-person check of the blood product against the patient's identity and blood type.
• Nurses must continuously monitor the patient for signs of a transfusion reaction, especially within the first 15 minutes. Symptoms include fever, chills, back pain, shortness of breath, and hives.
• In an emergency, if a transfusion reaction is suspected, the nurse must immediately stop the transfusion, keep the IV line open with normal saline, and notify the healthcare provider.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the recipient's blood type from the question stem: O+.
• Recall the antigen/antibody profile for this blood type. Type O has no A/B antigens but has both anti-A and anti-B antibodies. The '+' means they have the Rh antigen.
• Analyze the core principle of transfusion: The donor's antigens must not react with the recipient's antibodies.
• Evaluate each option against the recipient's profile:
• Option A (O): No A/B antigens. This is compatible.
• Option B (A+): Has A antigens. This will react with the patient's anti-A antibodies. Incompatible.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Blood group compatibility for transfusion (ABO and Rh systems)
• Stem keywords: O+ blood, transfusion, blood bank, appropriate blood group
• Lead-in keywords: most appropriate
• Clinical cues: Patient blood type is O+, which dictates which donor blood is safe to transfuse.
• Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

Q0MXjvG32noFY6eB2uBSWp

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 1 pp. 146-148, 147-149

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 5 p. 75-77