T11 Blood Products and Transfusions

• What type of blood product should be administered for elevated PT and INR levels?

  Fresh frozen plasma.
• What is a peripheral smear used for?

  Look at shape and appearance of blood cells.
• What is pancytopenia?

  Low blood cell counts for everything.
• What is hematocrit?

  Percentage of RBCs to total blood volume.
• What is neutropenia?

  Less than 1000 cells/uL.
• What is normal platelet range?

  150,000 - 400,000 uL.
• How low do platelet levels need to go before possible spontaneous hemorrhage?

  Below 10,000 uL.
• What it thrombocytosis?

  Elevated platelet count.
• Which Rh classification has the antigen D?

  Rh positive.
• What test determines Rh status?

  Coombs test.
• When are Packed RBCs given?

  Anemias.
• When are platelets given?

  Thrombocytopenia.
• When is fresh frozen plasma given?

  To replace bleeding depleted clotting factors or when there are no platelets.
• When is albumin given?

  Hypovolemia, hypoalbuminemia.
• When is cryoprecipitate given?

  Clotting factors are low, von Willebrand, fibronogen.
• What fluids should not be run with blood products?

  Dextrose or LR.
• What is a sign of a hemolytic reaction compared to a febrile reaction?

  Hemoglobinuria.
• What is the most common cause of hemolytic reactions?

  Acute transfusion reactions.
• Which blood transfusion reaction can be caused by Hepatitis B and C?

  Delayed transfusion reaction.
• What is autologus blood?

  Self-donated blood that can be saved for 10 years.
• What is autotransfusion or cell salvaging?


  Done at time of procedure to reuse own patient's blood.
• What does TACO mean?

  Transfusion associated circulatory overload.
• What is TRALI?

  Transfusion-related acute lung injury.
• How does a TRALI occur?

  Fluids leak into alveolar space due to alveolar capillary damage due to neutrophils.
• What is the difference between TACO and TRALI?

  TACO causes normal to high BP, pleural effusions, high BNP and abnormal heart function that worsens with fluids.
• What happens during a TRALI?

  Low to normal BP, elevated or normal temperature, low BNP, worsens with diuretics.
• What product is given for an elevated PT and INR?

  Fresh frozen plasma.