Question

A patient with blood group 'A' was injured in an accident and has lost a lot of blood during injury. Which blood group the doctor should effectively use in this case? (a) \(\mathrm{AB}\) (b) \(\mathrm{A} / \mathrm{O}\) (c) \(\mathrm{B} / \mathrm{O}\) (d) \(\mathrm{AB} / \mathrm{A} / \mathrm{B}\)

Short answer

(b) A/O

Step-by-step solution

Identify Compatible Blood Types

The fundamental principle is that only identical blood antigens are compatible. Blood group A has A antigens, so they can receive blood from Group A donors. Similarly, blood group A can also receive blood from blood group O as they are considered universal donors.

Exclude Incompatible Blood Types

Exclude blood groups that can cause adverse reactions. Blood group A cannot receive blood from Group B or AB because these contain the B antigen, which would be identified as foreign, triggering an immune response.

Identify the Correct Answer

Based on this, the suitable blood groups for transfusion to a patient with blood group A would be A and O. So, the correct answer is (b) A/O.

Key concepts

Blood Transfusion

Blood transfusion is a life-saving medical procedure used to replace lost blood in patients due to injury, surgery, or disease. The process involves matching compatible blood between a donor and a recipient to avoid complications. It’s crucial to understand blood compatibility to ensure a successful transfusion.

When a person needs a blood transfusion, healthcare providers consider several factors to ensure safety:

• Blood type compatibility: Matching the recipient’s and donor’s blood types is essential to avoid severe immune reactions.
• Rh factor: Besides the A, B, AB, and O blood groups, each type is categorized further by the presence (+) or absence (-) of the Rh antigen.
• Screening: Donor blood is thoroughly screened for diseases to prevent transmission.

Understanding these factors helps facilitate effective blood transfusions, reducing risks and assisting in patient recovery.

Blood Group A

Blood Group A is one of the major blood types characterized by the presence of A antigens on the surface of red blood cells. This means people with Blood Group A have antibodies against the B antigen. Therefore, receiving blood from Blood Group B or AB would cause an immune response, leading to potential harm.

To safely receive a blood transfusion, individuals with Blood Group A can:

• Receive from Blood Group A, as it matches the antigens perfectly, preventing any immune reaction.
• Receive from Blood Group O, known to lack A or B antigens, thus being compatible.

By understanding these compatibilities, medical professionals can provide transfusions safely to those with Blood Group A, minimizing the risk of adverse reactions.

Universal Donors

The concept of universal donors refers to individuals whose blood can be safely transfused to most people, which is particularly handy in emergencies. Blood Group O, especially O negative, is the universal donor. This universality arises from the absence of A and B antigens in their blood, reducing the risk of triggering an immune response in recipients.

Here's why O negative is so crucial in transfusions:

• Compatibility with all major blood groups makes it indispensable in urgent situations when there isn’t time to match blood.
  
  
• Widely used in critical conditions, emergency rooms often stockpile O negative blood.
• Vital for neonates or patients with compromised immune systems.

Being aware of and utilizing universal donors can be the difference between life and death, showcasing the importance of such blood donations in hospitals around the world.