A patient with multiple traumatic injuries has experienced severe blood loss and is prescribed to receive blood immediately. The nurse realizes that because there is not enough time for type and crossmatch, the patient will most likely receive which type of blood?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Type O blood is known as the universal donor because it lacks A and B antigens on the red blood cells, making it unlikely to cause a severe immune reaction in the recipient. Therefore, in an emergency situation where there is not enough time for type and crossmatch, type O blood is typically the first choice to be administered.

A Patient with Multiple Traumatic Injuries Has Experienced Severe Blood