A male patient with blood type AB, Rh factor positive needs a blood transfusion. The Transfusion Service (blood bank) sends type O, Rh factor negative blood to the unit for the nurse to infuse into this patient. The nurse knows that:
A. This donor blood is incompatible with the patient’s blood.
B. Premedication of the patient with diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) will prevent any transfusion reactions or side effects.
C. This is a compatible match.
D. The patient is at minimal risk receiving this product since it is the first time he has been transfused with type O, Rh negative blood.
Correct Answer: C. This is a compatible match.
Type O, Rh-negative blood has none of the major antigens and is safely administered to patients of all blood types. It is also known as the universal donor. It has neither A nor B antigens on red cells (but both A and B antibodies are in the plasma).
Option A: Type O is routinely in short supply and in high demand by hospitals – both because it is the most common blood type and because type O negative blood is the universal blood type needed for emergency transfusions and for immune-deficient infants.
Option B: Premedication with these agents will not prevent a major transfusion reaction if the blood type and Rh factors of the donor blood are incompatible with the recipient’s blood. Types O negative and O positive are in high demand. Only 7% of the population are O negative. However, the need for O negative blood is the highest because it is used most often during emergencies. The need for O+ is high because it is the most frequently occurring blood type (37% of the population).
Option D: Approximately 45 percent of Caucasians are type O (positive or negative), but 51 percent of African-Americans and 57 percent of Hispanics are type O. Minority and diverse populations, therefore, play a critical role in meeting the constant need for blood.