Comprehensive Nursing Pharmacology Q 46
Chris asks the nurse whether all donor blood products are cross-matched with the recipient to prevent a transfusion reaction. Which of the following always require cross-matching?
A. Granulocytes
B. Platelets
C. Plasma
D. Packed red blood cells
Correct Answer: D. Packed red blood cells.
Red blood cells contain antigens and antibodies that must be matched between donor and recipient. The blood products in options 2-4 do not contain red cells. Thus, they require no cross-match. The hemoglobin in red blood cells binds oxygen and is the main source of oxygen delivery in the body. A single unit of packed red blood cells is roughly 350 mL in volume and contains about 250 mg of iron.
Option A: Neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils are all granulocytes. These cells also all have azurophilic granules (lysosomes) and specific granules that contain substances unique to each cell’s function. Histologically, granulocytes can be distinguished from one another by the morphology of their nucleus, their size, and how their granules stain.
Option B: Platelets maintain hemostasis by adhering to the vascular endothelium, aggregating with other platelets, and initiating the coagulation cascade, leading to the production of a fibrin mesh, which effectively prevents significant blood loss.
Option C: Plasma, also known as blood plasma, appears light-yellowish or straw-colored. It serves as the liquid base for whole blood. Whole blood minus erythrocytes (RBCs), leukocytes (WBCs), and thrombocytes (platelets) make up the plasma. Serum, sometimes mistakenly considered synonymous with plasma, consists of plasma without fibrinogen. Plasma contains 91% to 92% of water and 8% to 9% of solids.