A person with anti-A and anti-B antibodies in their blood has what blood type?

Appeared in: DHS Staff Nurse - 2018 (Shift-2nd)

Explanation

In the ABO blood group system, the presence of antibodies in the plasma is inversely related to the presence of antigens on the red blood cells (Landsteiner's Law).
Individuals with Type O blood do not have A or B antigens on their red blood cells.
Because their red blood cells lack these antigens, their immune system produces both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.
Therefore, a person with both anti-A and anti-B antibodies in their blood has Type O blood.

Option A: Type A blood has A antigens on the red blood cells and only anti-B antibodies in the plasma.
Option B: Type B blood has B antigens on the red blood cells and only anti-A antibodies in the plasma.
Option C: Type AB blood has both A and B antigens on the red blood cells and, consequently, has no antibodies (neither anti-A nor anti-B) in the plasma.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing ABO Blood Group System helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding the ABO system is critical for safe blood transfusions. Transfusing incompatible blood can lead to a severe, life-threatening hemolytic transfusion reaction where the recipient's antibodies attack the donor's red blood cells.
Type O negative blood is considered the 'universal donor' for packed red blood cells because it lacks A, B, and RhD antigens, minimizing the risk of a reaction in the recipient.
Type AB positive individuals are 'universal recipients' because they lack anti-A, anti-B, and anti-RhD antibodies, allowing them to receive red blood cells from any ABO/RhD type.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key information in the question: the person has both 'anti-A' and 'anti-B' antibodies.
Recall the principles of the ABO blood group system, specifically Landsteiner's Law, which states that if an antigen is absent on the red blood cells, the corresponding antibody will be present in the plasma.
Systematically evaluate each blood type: Type A has anti-B, Type B has anti-A, and Type AB has no antibodies.
Conclude that only Type O blood lacks both A and B antigens, and therefore, the plasma contains both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.
Select the option that matches this conclusion.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DHS Staff Nurse - 2018 (Shift-2nd)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.