An individual with which of the following blood groups is a universal donor?

Appeared in: AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Explanation

Individuals with O-negative blood are considered universal donors.
Their red blood cells (RBCs) lack both A and B antigens, so they do not trigger an immune response in recipients with anti-A or anti-B antibodies.
They also lack the Rh (D) antigen, making their blood compatible with both Rh-positive and Rh-negative recipients.
This combination allows O-negative blood to be transfused to patients of any ABO and Rh blood type, which is especially critical in emergencies.

Option A: A-ve blood has A antigens on its red blood cells. It would cause an immune reaction in individuals with B or O blood types who have anti-A antibodies.
Option B: B+ve blood has B antigens and the Rh antigen. It would cause an immune reaction in individuals with A or O blood types (due to anti-B antibodies) and in Rh-negative individuals (who could develop anti-Rh antibodies).
Option C: AB+ve blood has both A and B antigens, as well as the Rh antigen. This makes it the universal recipient, not the universal donor. Donating it to anyone other than another AB+ individual would cause a severe immune reaction.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing ABO and Rh blood group systems and the concept of universal donors helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must meticulously verify patient and donor blood types before any transfusion to prevent potentially fatal hemolytic transfusion reactions.
In emergency situations where a patient's blood type is unknown and they require immediate transfusion, O-negative blood is the first choice to ensure safety.
What if the question asked for the universal plasma donor? The answer would be AB blood type, because their plasma contains no anti-A or anti-B antibodies, making it safe for all recipients.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'universal donor'.
Recall the principles of the ABO and Rh blood group systems.
A 'universal donor' refers to the blood type that can be given to people with any other blood type without causing an immune reaction.
This means the donor's red blood cells must lack the major antigens that recipients' antibodies would attack: A, B, and Rh.
Evaluate the options: O-type blood lacks A and B antigens, and negative (-) type blood lacks the Rh antigen.
Therefore, O-negative (O-ve) is the only blood type that meets all the criteria for a universal donor.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: ABO and Rh blood group systems and the concept of universal donors.
Stem keywords: blood group, universal donor
Lead-in keywords: which of the following
Negative lead-in flag: false

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Practise the full AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

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