Universal recipient for blood is?

Appeared in: AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Explanation

Individuals with AB+ blood are called universal recipients.
Their red blood cells have A, B, and Rh antigens, so their plasma contains no anti-A, anti-B, or anti-Rh antibodies.
The absence of these antibodies allows them to safely receive red blood cells from any ABO and Rh blood type without causing an immune reaction.

Option A: O+ individuals have anti-A and anti-B antibodies in their plasma, meaning they can only receive blood from O+ or O- donors. They are not universal recipients.
Option B: O- is the universal donor, not the universal recipient. Their plasma contains both anti-A and anti-B antibodies, so they can only receive O- blood.
Option D: AB- individuals lack the Rh antigen and have anti-Rh antibodies if previously exposed. They cannot receive Rh-positive blood (e.g., A+, B+, AB+, O+), so they are not universal recipients.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Blood group systems and transfusion compatibility helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Accurate blood typing and cross-matching are critical nursing responsibilities before any blood transfusion to prevent life-threatening hemolytic transfusion reactions.
A transfusion reaction from mismatched blood can cause fever, chills, back pain, hypotension, and acute kidney injury.
What if? If a patient with O- blood were given AB+ blood, the recipient's anti-A and anti-B antibodies would attack and destroy the transfused AB+ red blood cells, leading to a severe, potentially fatal, acute hemolytic reaction.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Universal recipient'.
Recall the principles of the ABO and Rh blood group systems, specifically focusing on antigens and antibodies.
Understand that a 'recipient' can accept blood if they do not have antibodies that would attack the donor's red blood cell antigens.
Evaluate each option: The universal recipient must lack all major blood group antibodies (anti-A, anti-B, anti-Rh). Only AB+ blood type fits this description.
Conclude that AB+ is the universal recipient because they have A, B, and Rh antigens, and therefore no corresponding antibodies in their plasma.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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