Flash cards

Flashcard 1
Q: What is the significance of the year 1492 in the history of blood transfusions?
A: In 1492, blood was taken from three young men and given to Pope Innocent VII in an attempt to cure him. Unfortunately, all four (including the Pope) died, but this is the first recorded instance of a blood transfusion in history.

Flashcard 2
Q: What was the main challenge faced by early blood transfusions?
A: The principal obstacle was clotting, which made blood transfusions difficult and often dangerous.

Flashcard 3
Q: What was Braxton Hicks' contribution to blood transfusion research in 1869?
A: In 1869, Braxton Hicks recommended sodium phosphate as a potential anticoagulant, marking the first efforts in blood preservation research.

Flashcard 4
Q: Who discovered the ABO blood groups and what was its significance?
A: Karl Landsteiner discovered the ABO blood groups in 1901, explaining serious reactions during incompatible transfusions. His work earned him a Nobel Prize.

Flashcard 5
Q: How did Edward E. Lindemann contribute to blood transfusion techniques?
A: Edward E. Lindemann was the first to successfully perform a vein-to-vein blood transfusion using multiple syringes and a cannula. However, this process was time-consuming and required many skilled assistants.

Flashcard 6
Q: What innovation made blood transfusions more practical for physicians?
A: Unger designed a syringe-valve apparatus that allowed blood transfusions to be performed by a single physician without the need for multiple assistants.

Flashcard 7
Q: What breakthrough in anticoagulants occurred in 1914?
A: In 1914, Hustin reported the use of sodium citrate as an anticoagulant solution, making blood transfusions more feasible.

Flashcard 8
Q: What important discovery did Lewisohn make in 1915?
A: In 1915, Lewisohn determined the minimum amount of sodium citrate needed for anticoagulation and proved that small amounts were non-toxic, improving blood transfusion safety.

Flashcard 9
Q: How did World War I influence blood preservation research?
A: The demand for blood during World War I led to innovations in blood preservation, including the introduction of glucose-based solutions for preserving red blood cells (RBCs) in the 1910s.

Flashcard 10
Q: How did World War II impact blood transfusion practices?
A: World War II prompted advancements in blood transfusion and preservation due to increased blood demand, leading to Dr. Charles Drew's pioneering work in blood storage and transfusion techniques, and the establishment of widespread blood banks.

Flashcard 11
Q: What major blood preservation solution was introduced in 1943?
A: In 1943, Loutit and Mollison introduced acid-citrate-dextrose (ACD), a formula for blood preservation that became standard for storing blood.

Flashcard 12
Q: What was the significance of the July 1947 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation?
A: The July 1947 issue published numerous papers on blood preservation, marking a milestone in the development of blood storage techniques.

Flashcard 13
Q: What blood preservation solution replaced ACD in the 1950s?
A: In 1957, Gibson introduced citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD), a less acidic preservative solution that eventually replaced ACD for blood storage.

Flashcard 14
Q: What new challenge emerged as blood transfusions became more common?
A: As blood transfusions became more frequent, new problems like circulatory overload emerged, leading to the development of component therapy.

Flashcard 15
Q: What is component therapy in blood transfusion?
A: Component therapy allows one unit of whole blood to be separated into its components (RBCs, platelets, plasma), which can then be transfused individually to meet specific patient needs without overloading the circulatory system.

Flashcard 16
Q: What are the benefits of component therapy over whole blood transfusion?
A: Component therapy reduces risks like circulatory overload and allows for more targeted and efficient use of blood products.

Flashcard 17
Q: What impact did component therapy have on our understanding of RBC metabolism?
A: The increased use of blood components led to a deeper understanding of erythrocyte metabolism and the challenges associated with storing RBCs.

Flashcard 18
Q: How many units of red blood cells (RBCs) were collected in the U.S. in 2015, and what is the trend?
A: In 2015, approximately 12.6 million units of RBCs were collected, but this represents a decline of 11.6% since 2013, and there was a corresponding 13.9% decline in the number of units transfused.

Flashcard 19
Q: What is the estimated demand for blood in the U.S.?
A: It is estimated that one in three people will need blood at some point in their lifetime, and the demand for blood is expected to remain high due to an aging population and advances in medical treatments.

Flashcard 20
Q: What percentage of eligible Americans donate blood each year?
A: Fewer than 10% of eligible Americans donate blood annually, even though blood donation is crucial for meeting healthcare needs.

Flashcard 21
Q: What is the standard volume of blood collected during a donation?
A: The standard volume is typically 450 mL ± 10%, though 500 mL ± 10% is becoming more common.

Flashcard 22
Q: How is the blood donation process modified for the collection of 500 mL of blood?
A: When collecting 500 mL of blood, the volume of anticoagulant solution is increased from 63 mL to 70 mL to maintain proper blood-to-anticoagulant ratios.

Flashcard 23
Q: How long does it take for a donor to replenish red blood cells after donation?
A: Red blood cells are typically replaced within 1 to 2 months after donation.

Flashcard 24
Q: What components can whole blood be separated into after donation?
A: Whole blood can be separated into packed red blood cells (RBCs), platelets, and plasma, which can then be used individually for different medical needs.

Flashcard 25
Q: What is cryoprecipitation, and what is it used for?
A: Cryoprecipitation is the process by which plasma is converted into a clotting factor concentrate rich in fibrinogen, useful for treating bleeding disorders.

Flashcard 26
Q: What is the storage life of red blood cells (RBCs) after donation?
A: RBCs can be stored for 21 to 42 days, depending on the anticoagulant and preserving solution used during collection.

Flashcard 27
Q: What are the three main steps in the blood donation process?
A: The three steps are:

  1. Educational Materials – Donors receive information about the risks of transfusion-transmitted diseases.

  2. Health History Questionnaire – Donors fill out a questionnaire to identify any risks related to transmissible diseases.

  3. Physical Examination – A basic exam checks blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and hemoglobin or hematocrit levels.

Flashcard 28
Q: What diseases are screened for in the donor health history questionnaire?
A: The questionnaire screens for exposure to diseases like malaria, West Nile virus, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, babesiosis, and Chagas disease.

Flashcard 29
Q: What is checked during the abbreviated physical examination of blood donors?
A: The examination checks blood pressure, pulse, temperature, hemoglobin or hematocrit levels, and inspects the arms for skin lesions.

Flashcard 30
Q: How has the blood donation process improved safety?
A: The donation process has improved with rigorous screening, educational materials, and laboratory testing, making the nation's blood supply safer than ever before.

Flashcard 31
Q: How often can a volunteer blood donor donate whole blood?
A: A volunteer donor can donate whole blood once every 8 weeks.