Blood and Blood Products

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to blood components, transfusion practices, compatibility, reactions, and safety.

Red Blood Cells (RBC)

Cells that transport oxygen via hemoglobin; used in transfusions to treat blood loss and anemia.

Plasma

The liquid portion of blood containing clotting factors and albumin; used in transfusions to restore volume and aid clotting.

Platelets

Cell fragments essential for clot formation; transfused to treat thrombocytopenia and bleeding risk.

Clotting factors

Proteins in plasma that help blood clot.

Albumin

Plasma protein that maintains oncotic pressure and helps expand circulating volume.

Oncotic pressure

Osmotic pressure from plasma proteins that keeps fluid within vessels.

Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs)

Concentrated red blood cells used to raise hemoglobin and oxygen-carrying capacity after blood loss.

Hypovolemic shock

Shock caused by low blood volume, often treated with blood products to restore circulation.

Massive hemorrhage

Severe bleeding requiring rapid transfusion and volume replacement.

Autologous donation

Donating one's own blood before surgery to be reinfused if needed.

Allogeneic donation

Blood donated from another person for transfusion.

Volunteer donor

A non-related person who donates blood for transfusion.

ABO blood groups

System of blood group antigens used to determine transfusion compatibility.

Rh factor

D antigen on RBCs; determines Rh positive or negative status and affects compatibility.

Rh positive

RBCs express the D antigen.

Rh negative

RBCs lack the D antigen; may require special matching in transfusions.

Universal donor

Blood type O negative; can donate to any ABO/Rh recipient.

Universal recipient

Blood type AB positive; can receive from any ABO/Rh donor.

Agglutination

Clumping of RBCs caused by antibodies against antigens.

Hemolysis

Destruction of red blood cells, which can occur during transfusion reactions.

Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction

Immediate immune-mediated destruction of donor RBCs due to incompatibility; can be life-threatening.

TRALI (Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury)

Acute lung injury after transfusion caused by donor antibodies; supportive treatment and sometimes steroids.

Transfusion reaction

Any adverse response during or after a transfusion (fever, chills, hives, dyspnea, hypotension).

Transfusion reaction protocol

Stop the transfusion, assess vitals and symptoms, and follow protocol; restart only if approved.

Blood bank

Facility that tests, validates compatibility, and stores blood products.

4-hour rule

A blood product should be transfused within four hours of removal from storage.

Vital monitoring during transfusion

Baseline vitals and frequent checks (e.g., every 5 minutes for the first 15 minutes).

Pre-medication before transfusion

Use of antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine) to prevent mild allergic reactions when prescribed.

Hemosiderosis

Iron overload from repeated transfusions, which can damage heart, liver, and pancreas.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Growth factor that stimulates red blood cell production to reduce transfusion needs.

G-CSF (Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor)

Growth factor that boosts neutrophil production in neutropenia (often due to chemotherapy).

Thrombopoietin (platelet growth factors)

Factors that stimulate platelet production to treat thrombocytopenia.

Alloimmunization

Recipient develops antibodies against donor RBC antigens, complicating future transfusions.

Transfusion-associated Graft-versus-Host Disease (TA-GvHD)

Donor lymphocytes attack recipient tissues; a rare but serious transfusion complication.

Prion disease risk (vCJD)

Rare risk of prion disease (variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob) from donor blood; precautions are taken to minimize exposure.

Bacterial contamination risk

Contaminated donor blood can cause sepsis; proper handling and biohazard precautions are essential.