What does the type and cross-match test verify in relation to donor blood?

What does the type and cross-match test verify in relation to donor blood?

• A. Determine presence of Rh antibodies
• B. Check for ABO incompatibility
• C. Identify A or O antigens
• D. Confirm donor-recipient blood compatibility

Answer: (D)

The main idea is safety of the transfusion by making sure the donor blood will work with the recipient’s immune system. The type part determines the ABO and Rh status of both donor and recipient to establish basic compatibility. The cross-match part then tests whether the recipient’s antibodies would react against the donor red blood cells by mixing recipient plasma with donor cells (and sometimes donor plasma with recipient cells). A negative cross-match means the donor blood is compatible and unlikely to cause a harmful reaction; a positive result indicates incompatibility and requires another donor unit. So this test specifically verifies donor–recipient compatibility, not just the presence of a single antibody or a single antigen.

The main idea is safety of the transfusion by making sure the donor blood will work with the recipient’s immune system. The type part determines the ABO and Rh status of both donor and recipient to establish basic compatibility. The cross-match part then tests whether the recipient’s antibodies would react against the donor red blood cells by mixing recipient plasma with donor cells (and sometimes donor plasma with recipient cells). A negative cross-match means the donor blood is compatible and unlikely to cause a harmful reaction; a positive result indicates incompatibility and requires another donor unit. So this test specifically verifies donor–recipient compatibility, not just the presence of a single antibody or a single antigen.