What course of action should be taken if a medical laboratory scientist inadvertently irradiates a unit of red cells twice?

What course of action should be taken if a medical laboratory scientist inadvertently irradiates a unit of red cells twice?

• A. Issue the unit
• B. Discard the unit
• C. Change the expiration date; then issue the unit
• D. Note on the irradiation sticker that the unit was irradiated twice and issue

Answer: (B)

When a unit of red cells is inadvertently irradiated twice, the recommended course of action is to discard the unit. This is because double irradiation could potentially compromise the integrity and functionality of the red blood cells. The excessive exposure to radiation may lead to cellular damage that can adversely affect the red blood cells’ lifespan and overall effectiveness once transfused into a patient. In terms of safety, transfusion of compromised blood products can lead to adverse reactions in patients, such as hemolysis or failure of the transfused cells to survive as expected. Laboratories adhere to strict standards and protocols to ensure patient safety, and discarding the unit safeguards against the risk of transfusing potentially damaged red cells. The other options do not adequately address the potential risks posed by the redundant irradiation. Issuing the unit without acknowledging the double irradiation could result in harm to the patient, while altering expiration dates or merely noting the double treatment without discarding also fails to prioritize patient safety and product integrity.

When a unit of red cells is inadvertently irradiated twice, the recommended course of action is to discard the unit. This is because double irradiation could potentially compromise the integrity and functionality of the red blood cells. The excessive exposure to radiation may lead to cellular damage that can adversely affect the red blood cells’ lifespan and overall effectiveness once transfused into a patient.

In terms of safety, transfusion of compromised blood products can lead to adverse reactions in patients, such as hemolysis or failure of the transfused cells to survive as expected. Laboratories adhere to strict standards and protocols to ensure patient safety, and discarding the unit safeguards against the risk of transfusing potentially damaged red cells.

The other options do not adequately address the potential risks posed by the redundant irradiation. Issuing the unit without acknowledging the double irradiation could result in harm to the patient, while altering expiration dates or merely noting the double treatment without discarding also fails to prioritize patient safety and product integrity.