Immunology & Blood Banking/Immunohematology

A series of flashcards to assist with understanding key concepts in Immunology, Blood Banking, and Immunohematology.

What does Blood Banking involve?

The procedures involved in collecting, storing, processing, and distributing blood for transfusion.

What is Immunology?

The study of the molecules, cells, organs and systems responsible for recognition and disposal of nonself substances, and related interactions.

What is Immunohematology?

The study of antigen-antibody reactions and their effects on blood, including blood transfusion medicine and blood banking.

What is a transfusion reaction?

A reaction of the body to a transfusion of incompatible blood, which can cause adverse effects ranging from fever to death.

What is an antigen?

A foreign substance that causes an immune response when introduced into a host.

How do antibodies work?

Antibodies are proteins produced in response to foreign antigens, binding to them and initiating events that destroy the invaders.

What is the significance of RBC antigens?

RBCs have antigens on their surface which can trigger transfusion reactions if they are foreign to the recipient.

What are the two ways a person can be exposed to foreign blood?

Transfusion (receiving donor blood) and pregnancy (exposure to baby’s blood during delivery).

Why is the ABO blood type system important?

It is the most important blood group antigen system because individuals already have antibodies against the A or B antigens they lack.

What are the four ABO blood types and their corresponding antibodies?

A (anti-B), B (anti-A), AB (neither), O (anti-A & anti-B).

What happens when a type O recipient receives A or B blood?

It can lead to a fatal acute hemolytic transfusion reaction due to the presence of antibodies in the recipient's plasma.

What is a Universal Donor and a Universal Recipient?

Universal Donor is type O (no antigens), and Universal Recipient is type AB (no antibodies against A or B).

What characterizes the Rh antigen system?

Rh antigen (D antigen) indicates whether blood is Rh positive (D antigen present) or Rh negative (D antigen absent).

What is hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)?

A condition where an Rh-negative mother’s anti-D antibodies attack the Rh-positive RBCs of her fetus in subsequent pregnancies.

How can HDFN be prevented?

By administering RhIG (RhoGam) to Rh-negative pregnant women to prevent the development of anti-D antibodies.

What is the process of blood typing?

Testing RBCs with known antibodies to determine the presence of specific antigens, resulting in agglutination if positive.

What does 'forward typing' and 'reverse typing' refer to in blood typing?

Forward typing tests for antigens on patient cells, while reverse typing tests for antibodies in patient plasma.

What does pretransfusion compatibility testing involve?

Proper identification of the recipient, checking blood types, antibody screening, and crossmatching donor RBCs with recipient plasma.

What types of blood components can be derived from whole blood donation?

Red blood cells, platelets, fresh frozen plasma.

What is the purpose of Fresh Frozen Plasma?

To contain all coagulation factors and assist in treatment of bleeding due to coagulation factor deficiencies.

Why is it important to identify unexpected antibodies in recipient plasma?

To ensure the recipient does not have antibodies corresponding to antigens on the donor RBCs to prevent transfusion reactions.