Blood Banking Practice Exam
1.Which of the following blood groups is considered the universal donor?
A) Group A
B) Group B
C) Group AB
D) Group O
Correct Answer: D) Group O
Explanation: Group O negative blood is the universal donor for red blood cell transfusions as it lacks A, B, and Rh antigens.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
2. Which of the following antibodies is typically associated with the ABO blood group system?
A) Anti-A
B) Anti-D
C) Anti-K
D) Anti-M
Correct Answer: A) Anti-A
Explanation: Anti-A and anti-B are naturally occurring antibodies found in individuals whose red blood cells do not express the corresponding A or B antigens.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
3. Which antigen is present on the red blood cells of individuals with Rh-positive blood?
A) Rh antibody
B) Rh antigen
C) Rh-negative antigen
D) ABO antigen
Correct Answer: B) Rh antigen
Explanation: The Rh antigen (specifically the D antigen) is present on the red blood cells of individuals with Rh-positive blood.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
4. What is the first step in the blood typing procedure?
A) Crossmatch the donor blood with the recipient’s serum
B) Mix the patient’s serum with group O red blood cells
C) Add reagents for forward typing
D) Perform a direct antiglobulin test (DAT)
Correct Answer: C) Add reagents for forward typing
Explanation: Forward typing involves mixing the patient’s red blood cells with known antibodies (anti-A, anti-B) to determine their ABO blood group.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
5. Which of the following is the primary purpose of performing a crossmatch?
A) To verify ABO compatibility
B) To detect the presence of antibodies in the recipient’s serum
C) To identify the Rh type
D) To detect the presence of donor red blood cell antibodies
Correct Answer: A) To verify ABO compatibility
Explanation: Crossmatching is done to ensure that the donor’s red blood cells are compatible with the recipient’s serum, preventing transfusion reactions.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
6. What is the most common cause of hemolytic transfusion reactions?
A) ABO incompatibility
B) Rh incompatibility
C) Platelet transfusion
D) Fibrinogen deficiency
Correct Answer: A) ABO incompatibility
Explanation: ABO incompatibility is the most common cause of hemolytic transfusion reactions due to the presence of naturally occurring antibodies against the opposite blood group.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
7. In which situation is Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg) administered to prevent Rh sensitization?
A) When a Rh-negative mother carries a Rh-positive fetus
B) When an Rh-positive person receives Rh-negative blood
C) After a platelet transfusion
D) To prevent allergic reactions to blood transfusions
Correct Answer: A) When a Rh-negative mother carries a Rh-positive fetus
Explanation: RhIg is given to Rh-negative mothers carrying Rh-positive fetuses to prevent the formation of antibodies against Rh-positive red blood cells.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
8. What is the purpose of the Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT)?
A) To detect ABO incompatibility
B) To test for the presence of antibodies attached to red blood cells
C) To identify blood group antigens
D) To screen for infections
Correct Answer: B) To test for the presence of antibodies attached to red blood cells
Explanation: The DAT detects antibodies or complement proteins that have attached to the surface of red blood cells, useful in diagnosing hemolytic anemia or transfusion reactions.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
9. What is the Rh typing test used to determine?
A) The presence of ABO antigens on the red blood cells
B) The presence of the D antigen on the red blood cells
C) The type of antibodies present in the serum
D) The amount of hemoglobin in the blood
Correct Answer: B) The presence of the D antigen on the red blood cells
Explanation: Rh typing is used to determine if a person has the D antigen on their red blood cells, which determines whether they are Rh-positive or Rh-negative.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
10. Which of the following antibodies is typically associated with cold agglutinin disease?
A) Anti-D
B) Anti-A
C) Anti-I
D) Anti-K
Correct Answer: C) Anti-I
Explanation: Cold agglutinin disease is often associated with the presence of anti-I antibodies, which agglutinate red blood cells at cooler temperatures.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
11. What is the term for the condition in which the recipient’s immune system reacts to transfused blood due to incompatible antibodies?
A) Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction
B) Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction
C) Delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction
D) Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
Correct Answer: B) Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction
Explanation: Acute hemolytic transfusion reactions occur when the recipient’s immune system recognizes transfused red blood cells as foreign and destroys them.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
12. Which of the following blood components is typically given to patients with thrombocytopenia?
A) Red blood cells
B) Plasma
C) Platelets
D) Cryoprecipitate
Correct Answer: C) Platelets
Explanation: Platelet transfusions are commonly used to treat patients with thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), to prevent bleeding.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
13. Which of the following blood group antigens is most commonly associated with hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)?
A) ABO antigen
B) Rh antigen
C) Kell antigen
D) Duffy antigen
Correct Answer: B) Rh antigen
Explanation: Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) is most commonly caused by maternal antibodies against the Rh antigen when the mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
14. What is the primary purpose of performing an antibody screen?
A) To detect any unexpected antibodies in the patient’s serum
B) To type the patient’s ABO blood group
C) To check for Rh incompatibility
D) To determine the presence of blood infections
Correct Answer: A) To detect any unexpected antibodies in the patient’s serum
Explanation: An antibody screen is performed to detect any antibodies in the patient’s serum that may react with donor red blood cells, potentially causing a transfusion reaction.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
15 Which of the following is a common cause of delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction?
A) Antibodies against Rh antigen
B) Allergic reaction to plasma proteins
C) Antibodies against ABO antigens
D) Bacterial contamination of transfused blood
Correct Answer: A) Antibodies against Rh antigen
Explanation: Delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions can occur when the recipient’s immune system mounts a delayed response to antigens (such as Rh) on transfused red blood cells.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
16. What is the first step in the pre-transfusion testing process?
A) Perform a crossmatch
B) Determine ABO blood type
C) Identify antibodies in the patient’s serum
D) Perform a direct antiglobulin test (DAT)
Correct Answer: B) Determine ABO blood type
Explanation: The first step in pre-transfusion testing is to determine the patient’s ABO blood type to ensure compatibility with the donor blood.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
17. What is the most common reaction observed following platelet transfusion?
A) Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction
B) Allergic transfusion reaction
C) Graft-versus-host disease
D) Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)
Correct Answer: A) Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction
Explanation: Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTRs) are the most common reaction to platelet transfusions and are often due to cytokine release from white blood cells.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
18. Which of the following is the most common cause of bacterial contamination of blood products?
A) Platelets
B) Red blood cells
C) Plasma
D) Cryoprecipitate
Correct Answer: A) Platelets
Explanation: Platelets are most commonly associated with bacterial contamination due to their storage at room temperature, which promotes bacterial growth.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
19. What is the purpose of performing a compatibility test in blood banking?
A) To detect ABO incompatibility only
B) To determine the patient’s Rh type
C) To ensure the donor blood does not contain harmful microorganisms
D) To ensure the blood is compatible between donor and recipient
Correct Answer: D) To ensure the blood is compatible between donor and recipient
Explanation: A compatibility test ensures that the donor’s blood is compatible with the recipient’s blood to avoid adverse reactions during transfusion.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
20. Which blood component is typically transfused to treat coagulation factor deficiencies?
A) Platelets
B) Red blood cells
C) Plasma
D) Cryoprecipitate
Correct Answer: C) Plasma
Explanation: Plasma contains various coagulation factors, and transfusion is used to treat patients with deficiencies in these factors, such as in hemophilia.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
21. What does the term “hemovigilance” refer to in transfusion medicine?
A) Monitoring of the donor’s health during blood donation
B) Surveillance and reporting of adverse events following blood transfusion
C) Ensuring proper blood typing of donors
D) Managing the storage conditions of blood products
Correct Answer: B) Surveillance and reporting of adverse events following blood transfusion
Explanation: Hemovigilance refers to the monitoring and reporting of adverse events or reactions that occur after a blood transfusion to ensure patient safety.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
22. Which of the following antibodies can cause hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)?
A) Anti-A
B) Anti-D
C) Anti-K
D) Anti-M
Correct Answer: B) Anti-D
Explanation: Anti-D antibodies can cause hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) if an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive fetus.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
23. What is the storage temperature for red blood cell transfusions?
A) -20°C to -30°C
B) 2°C to 6°C
C) 20°C to 24°C
D) 0°C to 2°C
Correct Answer: B) 2°C to 6°C
Explanation: Red blood cells are stored at 2°C to 6°C to maintain their viability and prevent bacterial growth.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
24. Which of the following is a common complication of transfusion of platelet concentrates?
A) Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
B) Iron overload
C) Septic shock
D) Acute hemolysis
Correct Answer: A) Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
Explanation: Platelet concentrates may cause graft-versus-host disease, particularly in immunocompromised patients, due to the presence of viable white blood cells in the transfused platelets.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.
25. Which test is commonly performed to detect antibodies against red blood cell antigens?
A) ABO typing
B) Direct antiglobulin test (DAT)
C) Antibody screen
D) Crossmatch
Correct Answer: C) Antibody screen
Explanation: The antibody screen tests the patient’s serum for the presence of antibodies against red blood cell antigens that could cause a transfusion reaction.
Reference: Harmening, D. M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices.