Final answer:
Cindy's procedure to receive a unit of donated blood due to significant blood loss during surgery is called a blood transfusion. In emergencies, type O blood is used or intravenous saline may temporarily restore volume, while research continues for artificial blood that can carry oxygen without RBCs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The procedure where the surgeon decides to give Cindy a unit of blood from a donor due to her large blood loss during abdominal surgery is called a blood transfusion. This medical intervention is crucial for patients who have experienced significant blood loss, as it works to restore the lost blood volume. It is essential that Cindy receives a transfusion with a matching ABO blood type to avoid any adverse reactions, such as a hemolytic transfusion reaction (HTR), which can be potentially lethal. In emergency situations where blood typing is not possible, type O blood may be administered because it is considered the universal donor type and is less likely to cause an incompatible reaction. Additionally, medics may utilize intravenous administration of saline solutions to temporarily replace some of the volume of blood that has been lost before a proper transfusion can be performed. Ongoing research aims to develop artificial blood products that could carry out the oxygen-carrying function of blood without red blood cells (RBCs), eliminating concerns over blood type compatibility during field transfusions. These artificial substitutes often contain hemoglobin or perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carriers.