Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad B.Pharmacy I Human Anatomy and Physiology - II Previous Question Paper (November/December-2020 - R17)

Blood transfusion is a life-saving medical procedure used to replace blood components lost due to trauma, surgery, or disease. Its primary significance lies in restoring oxygen-carrying capacity, maintaining hemodynamic stability, and correcting coagulation deficiencies.

Key clinical indications include:

• Anemia management: Packed red blood cells are transfused to increase hemoglobin levels in cases of severe chronic or acute anemia.
• Hemorrhage control: Whole blood or specific components are used to restore blood volume and prevent hypovolemic shock following severe injury or childbirth.
• Surgical support: Transfusions compensate for intraoperative blood loss during complex surgeries.
• Hematological disorders: Patients with conditions like hemophilia or leukemia require specific components like platelets or clotting factors to manage bleeding risks and immune function.
• Organ failure support: Transfusions assist in maintaining tissue perfusion in patients with organ dysfunction.

The ABO blood group system is the most important human blood group system, based on the presence or absence of specific antigens (agglutinogens) on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs) and corresponding antibodies (agglutinins) in the plasma.

The system is determined by the inheritance of alleles A, B, and O. The A and B alleles are codominant, while the O allele is recessive.

Key principles of the system include:

• Antigen-Antibody Reaction: If blood of an incompatible type is transfused, the recipient's antibodies will bind to the donor's antigens, causing agglutination (clumping) and subsequent hemolysis, which can be fatal.
• Universal Donor: Type O individuals are considered universal donors because their RBCs lack both A and B antigens, preventing reaction with recipient antibodies.
• Universal Recipient: Type AB individuals are considered universal recipients because their plasma lacks both Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies, allowing them to receive any ABO blood type.
• Inheritance: Blood type is genetically determined, following Mendelian inheritance patterns, which is significant in clinical medicine and forensic science.