Final answer:
The physician should be informed that the incompatible unit poses a serious risk of a hemolytic transfusion reaction. In emergency situations without time for crossmatching, type O negative blood may be used, but otherwise, compatible units must be found before transfusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scenario presented, where one of the E-negative donor units is incompatible in the antiglobulin phase of testing, proceeding with the transfusion can be extremely dangerous. The incompatible unit has shown a positive result for antibodies against the patient's red blood cells, which may lead to a hemolytic transfusion reaction. Such a reaction can cause symptoms like fever, shortness of breath, and even more severe complications like shock, multi-organ failure, and death.
It is critical to communicate to the physician the importance of matching blood types to prevent a hemolytic reaction. Moreover, even in urgent situations, ABO transfusion protocols should be adhered to, and a cross-match assay should be used to ensure compatibility whenever possible. If an emergency transfusion is absolutely necessary and there's no time for a proper crossmatch, only blood from a universal donor (type O) should be considered, as it is less likely to provoke a response due to the absence of A or B antigens.
The physician’s concern about the patient's shortness of breath should be addressed by providing them with compatible units or using type O negative blood if no time is available for further crossmatching.