During surgical operations or during accidents, the patient may be given blood from outside
to save his life. What is the technical name of this process ? Briefly explain the precautions
to be observed and taken in this process.
Answers
During surgical operations or accidents, the patient may be given blood from outside to save his life. This is called a blood transfusion. The precautions to be taken in this process are:
The donor is asked to complete a questionnaire detailing any history of infectious diseases and other medical issues before they are allowed to donate blood for transfusion.
The donor’s haemoglobin level is checked. Once collected, the blood is examined and screened for possible infectious agents such as HIV and hepatitis.
The blood from the donor is cross-matched with the patient’s blood sample to check it is compatible. Blood group is determined by the antigen profile of an individual's’ red blood cells.
The most important antigens in blood typing are the ABO and Rh antigens. Every individual has an ABO blood type (blood group A, B, AB, or O), which means their red blood cells may display antigen A, antigen B, both antigens, or neither antigen.
Each person is also either positive or negative for the Rh antigen. Overall, these antigens can combine to give 8 possible blood types..