The Rh factor in the blood was discovered in which year?

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur NO- 2019 (shift 3rd)

Explanation

The Rh blood group system was discovered in 1940.
This discovery was made by Karl Landsteiner and Alexander S. Wiener.
The name 'Rh' is derived from the Rhesus monkeys used in the initial experiments that led to the identification of this antigen.
The discovery was crucial for understanding and preventing certain types of transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease of the newborn (erythroblastosis fetalis).

Option B: 1930 is incorrect. While Karl Landsteiner received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1930 for his discovery of the ABO blood groups, the Rh factor was discovered a decade later.
Option C: 1938 is an incorrect year for the discovery of the Rh factor. It is close to the actual date but not accurate.
Option D: 1942 is incorrect. The discovery was made two years prior, in 1940.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing History of Hematology: Discovery of the Rh Blood Group System helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding the Rh system is fundamental in transfusion medicine and obstetrics.
Rh typing is a standard procedure before any blood transfusion to prevent incompatibility reactions, which can be severe.
In pregnancy, an Rh-negative mother carrying an Rh-positive fetus is at risk. Without intervention (like administering Anti-D immunoglobulin), she can develop antibodies that attack the red blood cells of subsequent Rh-positive babies, causing hemolytic disease of the newborn.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core of the question: It asks for a specific historical fact – the year of the Rh factor's discovery.
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge base regarding the history of medicine and hematology.
Recall or look up the key figures and dates associated with major blood group systems.
Differentiate between the discovery of the ABO system (Landsteiner, 1901) and the Rh system (Landsteiner and Wiener, 1940).
Evaluate the given options and select the one that matches the correct date.
Eliminate other dates, even if they seem plausible or are associated with related events (like Landsteiner's Nobel Prize in 1930).

Concept Tested & Keywords

QjEUCexIfcHtZq_Swopnvb

E6 Physiology Review Sembulingam 5e p. 33-35

E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 1 pp. 151-153, 150-152

Practise the full AIIMS Raipur NO- 2019 (shift 3rd)

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