How many years does the blood can be stored in Autologous donation or elective phlebotomy?

Appeared in: NVS Staff Nurse - 2022

Explanation

Autologous blood is blood donated by an individual for their own future use.
When red blood cells are cryopreserved (frozen), they can be stored for up to 10 years.
This long-term storage method involves freezing the blood at very low temperatures (below -65°C) with a cryoprotectant agent like glycerol to prevent cell damage.
This method is distinct from standard liquid refrigeration, which only allows for storage of 35 to 42 days.

Option A: This is an incorrect duration. The established maximum storage period for cryopreserved red blood cells is 10 years, not 7.
Option B: This is an incorrect duration. While blood could be used within 5 years, the maximum allowable storage time for frozen units is 10 years.
Option C: This is an incorrect duration. The maximum storage period for cryopreserved red blood cells is significantly longer than 2 years.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Blood storage duration for autologous donation helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Autologous donation is a crucial safety measure for patients with rare blood types or multiple antibodies, as it completely eliminates the risk of alloimmunization and allergic or hemolytic transfusion reactions from donor blood.
It is often planned for elective surgeries with a high probability of significant blood loss (e.g., major orthopedic or cardiac surgery), ensuring perfectly compatible blood is available.
What if? If the autologous blood was stored in a liquid state (refrigerated) instead of being frozen, its shelf life would be limited to a maximum of 42 days. This makes it suitable only for surgeries scheduled in the near future, not for long-term banking.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key terms in the question: 'Autologous donation' and 'how many years... stored'.
Recognize this as a factual recall question about blood banking standards.
Differentiate between the two main methods of blood storage: short-term liquid storage (refrigeration) and long-term storage (freezing/cryopreservation).
Associate autologous donation for potential future use with the long-term cryopreservation method.
Recall the maximum storage duration for cryopreserved red blood cells.
Select the option that matches this established time limit.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 3 p. 122-124

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