Final answer:
Clients should receive HLA-matched platelets to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a harmful immune response where the donor's T cells attack the recipient's body. Close HLA matching lowers the likelihood of tissue rejection and complications associated with transfusions and transplants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Clients receiving multiple units of platelets should be given platelets that match their specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) primarily to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). GVHD can occur when the mature T cells in the transfused platelets recognize the recipient's tissues as foreign and mount an immune response. Blood transfusions require compatible blood types to avoid serious reactions, while bone marrow transplants need even more specific HLA matching. Minimizing the risk of GVHD and other immune responses is crucial, and matching the HLAs as closely as possible is essential for this.
By closely matching the donor's and recipient's HLA markers, the likelihood of rejection of the transplanted tissue is reduced. The more similar the MHC gene match, the more likely it is that the graft will be tolerated for a longer time, thus reducing the risk of complications from immune responses including GVHD. Even with good HLA matching, transplant recipients usually require immunosuppressant therapy to further reduce the risk of rejection.