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

NVS- 2025

Applied Physiology

Medium

Appeared in: NVS- 2025

Explanation

The ABO blood system is defined by the antigens on red blood cells (RBCs) and the corresponding antibodies in the plasma.
Landsteiner's Law states that if an antigen is absent on the RBCs, the corresponding antibody will be present in the plasma.
The presence of both anti-A and anti-B antibodies signifies that the individual's RBCs lack both A and B antigens.
This profile—no antigens on RBCs and both anti-A and anti-B antibodies in the plasma—is the definition of Type O blood.

Option A: A person with Type A blood has A antigens on their red blood cells and only anti-B antibodies in their plasma.
Option B: A person with Type B blood has B antigens on their red blood cells and only anti-A antibodies in their plasma.
Option C: A person with Type AB blood has both A and B antigens on their red blood cells and, consequently, has no anti-A or anti-B antibodies in their plasma.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing ABO Blood Group System: Antigens and Antibodies helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Correctly identifying blood types based on antigens and antibodies is fundamental for ensuring safe blood transfusions and preventing life-threatening hemolytic transfusion reactions.
Individuals with Type O-negative blood are known as 'universal donors' for packed red blood cells because their RBCs lack A, B, and Rh antigens, minimizing the risk of an immune reaction in the recipient.
Conversely, individuals with Type AB blood are 'universal recipients' for packed red blood cells because they lack both anti-A and anti-B antibodies, so their body will not attack transfused RBCs of other ABO types.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key information provided in the question stem: the person's blood contains both 'anti-A' and 'anti-B' antibodies.
Recall the fundamental principle of the ABO blood system, often summarized by Landsteiner's Law: antibodies are present in the plasma against the antigens that are absent on the surface of the red blood cells.
Apply this rule: If both anti-A and anti-B antibodies are present, it logically means that the red blood cells must have neither the A antigen nor the B antigen.
Match this specific profile (no antigens, both antibodies) to the correct blood type from your memory or knowledge base.
Conclude that the absence of both A and B antigens is the defining characteristic of Type O blood.
Briefly eliminate the other options to confirm your choice: Type A has anti-B, Type B has anti-A, and Type AB has no antibodies.

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