Tiff
Forum Guru
Topics: 54
Posts: 563
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A 38-year-old woman with history of Factor V Leiden deficiency, multiple deep venous thromboses, placement of IVC filter, and depression presents with syncope, severe pallor and abdominal distention after overdosing on her warfarin in a suicide attempt. Due to the severe bleeding, the patient requires fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to reverse the anticoagulation, but her blood type is unknown. Which of the following FFP types can be safely given?
A. A+
B. AB+
C. B-
D. O+
E. O-
Answer is B. Need help here. Can anyone please explain why type O blood (universal donor) cannot be used? 
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| new_n_lost
Politically InCorrect
Topics: 650
Posts: 6,058
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did they give any explanation along with it. Cos thats also confusing me.
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| sigh
Forum Senior
Topics: 16
Posts: 189
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I know that AB plasma is the universal plasma, one can use it for all blood types, like O blood is universal blood. AB plasma does not have anti-A and anti-B antibodies that's why it is universal. Here is something about blood group antigens(RBC) and antibodies...Group O blood has RBC with no antigens and plasma with
ABs. Group AB blood has RBC with antigens and plasma without ABs...I am not sure about all this also. I hope somebody will explain...
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| Tiff
Forum Guru
Topics: 54
Posts: 563
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Here's the explanation which still left me bewildered.
Fresh frozen plasma is indicated in severe bleeding to reverse anticoagulation. The woman has signs of hypovolemic shock and probable intra-abdominal bleeding that requires rapid correction. FFP contains clotting factors that are deficient in patients on warfarin (namely II, V, VII, IX). Plasma also contains antibodies to A and B antigens on RBCs. A and B antigens are glycosphingolipids. People with type A blood will produce antibodies to B antigen, people with type B blood will produce A antibodies, and people with type O blood will produce both. Similarly, people with Rh- type blood will produce antibodies to Rh factor. All these antibodies will be present in the plasma; therefore AB+ is the universal donor for plasma because it does not contain any antibodies. You may remember that O- is the universal donor for RBC because it does not contain any antigens. Incidentally, transfusion is not required to incite production of antibodies. Many foods, viruses, and bacteria can trigger sensitization to AB and Rh factors, so it is important to protect patients with unknown blood types by giving the universal donors.
It appeared contradictory. First it says plasma has antibodies and then it says it doesn't. But I think I'm starting to put it all together now. Thanks Sigh. Any more input would be wonderful.
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