Final answer:
To prevent hemolysis, use a larger gauge needle, gentle inversion of the vacutainer, and avoid strong pressure on the syringe plunger. For IV drug delivery, drugs should be isotonic to maintain osmolarity. Agglutination of blood with both anti-A and anti-B antibodies indicates an AB blood type.
Step-by-step explanation:
To prevent hemolysis when a blood sample is taken, it is imperative to use proper techniques and equipment. Shaking the vacutainer vigorously can cause hemolysis, and therefore, it is not recommended as a means to mix the anticoagulant with the blood sample. Instead, gentle inversion is preferred. Using a larger gauge needle can help minimize hemolysis because it reduces the shear stress on red blood cells as they pass through the needle. Conversely, using a smaller gauge needle increases the risk of hemolysis due to higher shear forces. Applying strong pressure on the plunger of a syringe can also cause hemolysis by exerting excessive force on the blood cells. The correct approach is to draw blood gently and steadily. Additionally, ensuring that intravenous drugs are formulated in an isotonic solution helps maintain osmolarity and prevents hemolysis.
When performing a blood type test, if the patient's blood sample agglutinates with both anti-A and anti-B antibodies, it indicates that the patient has an AB blood type, which is a normal response. For a patient with multiple traumatic injuries needing an urgent blood transfusion when the blood type is unknown, type O negative blood is transfused because it is considered the universal donor and lacks A, B, and Rh antigens, reducing the risk of transfusion reactions.