Question

A client with type AB blood has experienced a precipitous drop in hemoglobin levels due to a gastrointestinal bleed and now requires a blood transfusion.

Which blood types may this client safely receive? Select all that apply.

1) A
2) B
3) AB
4) O

Answer 1

1) A

2) B

3) AB

4) O

Step-by-step explanation:

ABO blood group is decided according to the presence or absence of antigens A and B. A blood group has A antigen on surface of its red blood cells, B blood group has B antigen, AB blood group has both A and B antigens and O blood group has neither of the antigens. One type of antigen considers other type of antigen as foreign material and produces antibodies against it. For example, A blood group will produce antigen against B blood group and destroy its cells.

Since, AB blood group has both A and B antigens it will consider neither of them as foreign. So, no antibodies will be produced and there will be no destruction of red blood cells. Hence A, B and AB blood types can be supplied safely to this client. O blood group does not have both A and B antigens so it will also not illicit an immune reaction and can be given safely to the client.

Hence all the mentioned blood types can be given safely to this client.