116k views
5 votes
Why is it important to know a person's rhesus factor before a blood transfusion? A patient who is Rh+ can receive only Rh– blood. A patient who is Rh– can receive only Rh+ blood. A patient who is Rh+ can receive only Rh+ blood. A patient who is Rh– can receive only Rh– blood.

User Arviman
by
4.6k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

A patient who is Rh– can receive only Rh– blood.

Step-by-step explanation:

Rhesus refers to a red blood cell antigen. There are two blood group systems: Rh positive (Rh +) and Rh negative (Rh-).

Positive rhesus refers to people who have this antigen. Negative rhesus refers to people without the antigen.

The blood transfusions can be "iso-rhesus", that is to say between Rh + and Rh- but only in one sense: Rh- can give to Rh + but Rh + can not give to Rh-. This is because of the presence of antibodies directed against the antigen in Rh- people.

User Misa
by
4.4k points