Blood transfusion

Definition

A blood transfusion is a medical procedure where donated blood or blood components are transferred into a patient’s bloodstream. It is commonly used to replace lost components due to surgery, injury, or disease.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Blood transfusions can involve whole blood or specific components like red cells, plasma, or platelets depending on the patient's needs.
2. Nutritional status can affect the success and recovery following a blood transfusion; adequate iron and vitamin B12 levels are crucial.
3. Patients with chronic anemia often require multiple transfusions, making nutritional management essential to minimize complications.
4. Malnutrition can increase the risk of adverse reactions to blood transfusions, highlighting the importance of pre-transfusion nutritional assessment.
5. Post-transfusion nutrition should focus on replenishing depleted nutrients and supporting overall hematologic health.

Review Questions

• What are the different types of blood products that can be used in a transfusion?
• How does nutritional status impact the outcomes of a blood transfusion?
• Why is it important to assess a patient’s nutritional status before performing a blood transfusion?

Related terms

Iron Deficiency Anemia: A condition characterized by low levels of iron in the body, leading to reduced red blood cell production and oxygen transport.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A lack of vitamin B12 causing impaired red blood cell formation and neurological issues.

Hematocrit: The proportion of red blood cells in the blood, used as an indicator of overall health and diagnostic marker in anemia.