Is a 53-year-old woman who weighs 150 lb and has a hemoglobin of 13 g/dL, currently on warfarin, an acceptable donor?

Is a 53-year-old woman who weighs 150 lb and has a hemoglobin of 13 g/dL, currently on warfarin, an acceptable donor?

• A. Yes
• B. No, she is on warfarin
• C. Yes, for red cells only
• D. No, her hemoglobin is too low

Answer: (C)

In the context of blood donation, the eligibility of donors often depends on their health status and specific medical treatments they are undergoing. The correct answer indicates that the woman can donate red blood cells, but this is contingent on the understanding of how warfarin therapy affects eligibility. Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication used to prevent blood clots. While being on warfarin does introduce a risk factor in terms of bleeding complications, it does not automatically disqualify someone from donating blood, particularly red blood cells, if the donor is otherwise healthy and exhibits normal hemoglobin levels. In this case, a hemoglobin level of 13 g/dL is within the acceptable range for donation. The key consideration here is that patients on anticoagulants may sometimes be allowed to donate specific components of blood under certain conditions. Focusing on red blood cell donation is vital because it emphasizes that while medications like warfarin may be a concern, they do not categorically prevent a person from being a donor, provided they meet other health criteria. Thus, acknowledging the implications of both the medication and the hemoglobin level supports the conclusion that she is an acceptable donor for red cells only.

In the context of blood donation, the eligibility of donors often depends on their health status and specific medical treatments they are undergoing. The correct answer indicates that the woman can donate red blood cells, but this is contingent on the understanding of how warfarin therapy affects eligibility.

Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication used to prevent blood clots. While being on warfarin does introduce a risk factor in terms of bleeding complications, it does not automatically disqualify someone from donating blood, particularly red blood cells, if the donor is otherwise healthy and exhibits normal hemoglobin levels. In this case, a hemoglobin level of 13 g/dL is within the acceptable range for donation.

The key consideration here is that patients on anticoagulants may sometimes be allowed to donate specific components of blood under certain conditions. Focusing on red blood cell donation is vital because it emphasizes that while medications like warfarin may be a concern, they do not categorically prevent a person from being a donor, provided they meet other health criteria.

Thus, acknowledging the implications of both the medication and the hemoglobin level supports the conclusion that she is an acceptable donor for red cells only.