Final answer:
If the antibody screen is positive, identify the antibody and then wait for the doctor's orders before adding a crossmatch to ensure the patient receives compatible blood and to prevent potential transfusion reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the antibody screen is positive on a Type and Screen order, it's important to first identify the antibody. This step is critical for two main reasons: to prevent hemolytic transfusion reactions and to ensure that the patient receives compatible blood based on their specific antibody profile. Once the antibody has been identified, the next step is typically to wait for the doctor's orders to add a crossmatch. The crossmatch procedure is conducted to guarantee that the donor blood is compatible with the patient's blood and that it won't result in harmful reactions when transfused.
An antibody screen test is used to determine if the patient's serum contains antibodies against red blood cell antigens outside the ABO and Rh systems. A positive antibody screen means that atypical antibodies have been detected, and there's a potential risk for a transfusion reaction if not properly managed. The identified antibodies are considered when selecting donor blood for a crossmatch to ensure patient safety during transfusion.