Question

A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is orienting a new licensed practical nurse to an oncology unit where blood product transfusions are frequently administered. In discussing ABO compatibility, the CNS presents several hypothetical scenarios. A well-informed new graduate would know the greatest likelihood of an acute hemolytic reaction would occur when giving:

1) Type A blood to a Type B recipient
2) Type B blood to a Type AB recipient
3) Type AB blood to a Type O recipient
4) Type O blood to a Type A recipient

Answer 1

Giving Type A blood to a Type B recipient poses the greatest risk of an acute hemolytic reaction due to the presence of anti-A antibodies in the Type B recipient which will attack the transfused Type A blood cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question presented is related to blood transfusions and the ABO compatibility. The greatest likelihood of an acute hemolytic reaction would occur when giving Type A blood to a Type B recipient. This is because Type B individuals have anti-A antibodies in their plasma, which would mount an immune response against the Type A red blood cells. On the other hand, Type B blood transfused to a Type AB recipient is safe since Type AB individuals have neither anti-A nor anti-B antibodies. Type AB blood given to a Type O recipient can cause a reaction because Type O has both anti-A and anti-B antibodies that will attack the Transfused A and B antigens. However, Type O blood transfused to a Type A recipient is generally safe, although Type A has anti-B antibodies, there are no B antigens present on Type O red blood cells.