To verify age of blood cells in blood, nurse will check which of following?

Correct Answer: D. Blood expiration date

The safe storage of blood usually takes 35 days. Examining the expiration date is an important responsibility of a nurse prior to hanging the blood. Once issued by the blood centre, the transfusion of whole blood, red cells, platelet concentrate and thawed fresh frozen plasma should be commenced within 30 minutes of removal from the optimal storage conditions.

• Option A: A 5 mL blood sample should be collected into a dry test tube and then correctly and clearly labeled with the patient’s details, and submitted to the blood center for testing. The taking of a blood sample from the patient needs supervision. If the patient is conscious at the time of taking the sample, ask him/her to identify himself/herself by given name and all other appropriate information.
• Option B: When taking a blood sample for cross match, complete the whole procedure before any other task is undertaken – it is important that there are no interruptions during the process. When correctly performed, compatibility tests will confirm ABO compatibility between component and recipient and will detect the most clinically significant unexpected antibodies.
• Option C: Always take a completed patient documentation label to the issue room of the blood transfusion department when collecting the first unit of blood. Match the details on the blood request form against the blood compatibility label (tag), the bag unit number, and the patient documentation label. When receiving the unit of blood in the clinical area, check that it is the right unit for the right patient.