Self-Quiz

1. Each and every donation is tested for viral markers.

a) true
b) false

2. Where can red blood cells be stored?

a) ward fridge
b) medication fridge if only for a short time
c) blood bank fridge
d) all of the above
e) none of the above

3. When is an order for transfusion NOT required?

a) when transfusing cryoprecipitate
b) when transfusing albumin
c) when the patient is a minor
d) when the transfusion is very urgent
e) all of the above
f) none of the above

4. You are collecting a pre-transfusion blood sample from the patient. Which of the following instructions
are correct?

(i) The sample tube must be labelled before drawing the blood sample.
(ii) The sample label must have at least the patient’s name and another unique identifier.
(iii) The sample label must be checked against the patient’s chart not the armband as it might be wrong.
(iv) When possible the patient should participate in the identification process.
(v) The sample must be labelled in the presence of the patient.

a) all are correct
b) ii), (iv) and (v) are correct
c) i) and (ii) are correct
d) (iii) and (iv) are correct
e) (i), (ii) and (v) are correct

5. A 17-year-old female is admitted to Emergency after being hit by a car. She requires an immediate red blood cell transfusion for active bleeding before her blood group can be determined.

Which blood group is appropriate for this patient?

a) Group AB-positive
b) Group O-negative
c) Group O-positive
d) Group AB-negative
e) any blood group is appropriate in this urgent situation

6. Hlengiwe Ntombela is scheduled for a transfusion of red blood cells today. Before sending for the blood ensure the patient is ready by:

a) checking that IV access is ready and patent
b) verifying that Hlengiwe Ntombela has signed a consent for the blood transfusion
c) checking that the physician has written an order for the transfusion
d) all of the above
e) none of the above

7. The blood group of the patient is found on the unit.

a) true
b) false

8. Serious reactions such as acute Haemolytic transfusion reaction usually present more than 6 hours after the completion of the transfusion.

a) true
b) false

9. When administering a transfusion, the blood should initially be started slowly to…

a) detect transfusion reactions and intervene early before too much
b) blood is transfused
c) prevent pain at the IV site
d) prevent fluid overload
e) allow the patient time to become less anxious

10. You assess John Kruger after the first 15 minutes of his transfusion and notice a red rash appearing on his chest and upper arms. What do you do first?

a) stop the transfusion and complete a patient assessment
b) increase the rate of infusion so the transfusion will finish before the symptoms worsen
c) slow the transfusion and reassess John in another 15 minutes
d) check John’s vital signs

11. A RCC brown in colour is safe to transfuse.

a) true
b) false

12. Platelets are stored at room temperature.

a) true
b) false

13. You began transfusing Mary Bloodworthy at 9:00. It is now 13:00 and Mary’s unit of blood is ¾ transfused. What do you do?

a) dilute the unit with saline to decrease the viscosity so that he blood will flow more easily
b) restart Mary’s IV and continue the transfusion
c) stop the transfusion and document that Mary only received a partial unit
d) continue the transfusion cautiously with more frequent assessments
e) elevate the IV pole to increase the flow

14. Transfusion of ABO-incompatible blood may result in an acute haemolytic transfusion reaction.

a) true
b) false

15. Which patients should be pre-medicated with an antihistamine prior to transfusion?

a) patients who have experienced a fever or rigors with a previous transfusion
b) patients who have had prior allergic reactions from transfusion
c) all patients should be pre-medicated to prevent uncomfortable reactions
d) patients receiving platelets always require an antihistamine to prevent common allergic reactions
e) all of the above
f) none of the above

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Navigation to a Safe Blood Transfusion - Practical Guide - Updated August 2023