Final answer:
A person with blood type O can receive a transfusion from a type O donor, as O blood is compatible with any ABO blood group because it lacks A or B antigens.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a person is blood type O and needs a transfusion, they can receive blood from a type O donor. Since type O blood does not have A or B antigens on the surface of its red blood cells, it is compatible with any ABO blood group. In other words, type O blood can be transfused into individuals with type A, B, AB, or O blood. However, type O individuals can only receive type O blood because they have both anti-A and anti-B antibodies in their plasma, which would act against any A or B antigens introduced from other blood types.
In emergency situations, when there's no time to cross-match blood types, type O blood may be used since it's the universal donor blood, especially if it's O negative, which lacks the Rh antigen as well. This makes O negative blood safe for almost all recipients, including those with an Rh positive or negative status. Nevertheless, for non-emergency situations, cross-matching is preferable to ensure the highest degree of compatibility and prevent potential transfusion reactions.