Blood Transfusion: Understanding Compatibility

How can a researcher determine whether a person will react if they receive a blood transfusion?

A) By analyzing the recipient's ABO blood type

B) By conducting a DNA test

C) By checking the recipient's Rh factor

D) By observing the recipient's allergic reactions

Final answer: A researcher can determine whether a person will react to a blood transfusion by analyzing the recipient's ABO blood type and checking the recipient's Rh factor.

Blood Transfusion Compatibility

A researcher can determine whether a person will react to a blood transfusion by analyzing the recipient's ABO blood type and checking the recipient's Rh factor. The ABO blood type system categorizes individuals into four groups: A, B, AB, and O, based on the presence or absence of specific antigens on the red blood cells. The Rh factor indicates whether a person is Rh positive or Rh negative. Compatibility must be ensured between the blood type of the donor and that of the recipient to avoid transfusion reactions.

In addition, an antibody screening test can be used to determine if the recipient is making antibodies against antigens outside the ABO or Rh systems. This test checks if agglutination occurs when patient serum is mixed with commercially prepared red blood cells expressing these antigens.