A person with O negative blood group is also known as a/an?

Appeared in: JSSH Staff Nurse - 2019

Explanation

A person with O negative blood is called a universal donor.
This is because their red blood cells (RBCs) have no A, B, or Rh antigens on their surface.
The absence of these antigens means the blood can be given to a person of any blood type (A, B, AB, or O) without triggering an immune reaction.
This makes O negative blood crucial in emergencies when a patient's blood type is unknown.

Option A: A universal recipient is a person with AB positive blood type, not O negative.
Option C: An autologous donor is someone who donates blood for their own future use, for example, before a planned surgery. It is not specific to any blood group.
Option D: An allogenic donor is anyone who donates blood for another person. While a person with O negative blood is often an allogenic donor, the term 'universal donor' specifically describes their unique compatibility.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Blood group compatibility and terminology, specifically the concept of the universal donor helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
In emergency situations, trauma cases, or when a patient's blood type is unknown, O negative packed red blood cells (PRBCs) are the first choice for transfusion to prevent life-threatening reactions.
Nurses must meticulously follow protocols for blood administration, including double-checking patient and blood product identification, even when using universal donor blood.
What if the question asked about the universal plasma donor? The answer would be AB blood type. Their plasma does not contain anti-A or anti-B antibodies, so it can be given to patients of any ABO blood group.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the specific property of the 'O negative blood group'.
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge about the ABO and Rh blood group systems.
Recall the definitions of the terms in the options: 'Universal recipient', 'Universal donor', 'Autologous donor', and 'Allogenic donor'.
Match the characteristics of O negative blood (no A, B, or Rh antigens) with the correct term. The absence of antigens allows it to be donated to anyone, defining it as the 'Universal donor'.
Eliminate the other options by confirming their definitions do not match 'O negative'. AB positive is the universal recipient, and the other terms describe the donation process, not a blood type's compatibility.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Blood group compatibility and terminology, specifically the concept of the universal donor.
Stem keywords: O negative blood group
Lead-in keywords: known as
Negative lead-in flag: false

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Practise the full JSSH Staff Nurse - 2019

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