Question

Which one of the following statements is correct with regard to the principle of safe blood transfusion?

• A. The donor’s RBCs should not contain antibodies against the recipient’s serum
• B. The recipient’s serum should not contain antigens against the donor’s antibodies
• C. The recipient’s serum should not contain the antibodies against the RBCs of the donor
• D. The recipient’s RBCs should not contain antibodies against the donor’s antigen

Answer 1

The correct option is C The recipient’s serum should not contain the antibodies against the RBCs of the donor

“A” and “B” are the two surface antigens that are present on the surface of the RBCs. If antigen “A” is found on the RBCs, then anti-B antibodies are developed in the plasma of that individual. If antigen “B” is found on the RBCs, then that individual tends to develop anti-A antibodies in the plasma. The blood transfusion should be done in such a way that the recipient’s serum (plasma without the clotting factors) does not contain antibodies against the antigens present on the surface of the RBCs of the donor. The blood of the donor should properly match with the blood of the recipient. Otherwise, it will result in the destruction or clumping of the red blood cells.