What does a minor crossmatch involve?

What does a minor crossmatch involve?

• A. Recipient plasma and recipient red cells
• B. Recipient plasma and donor red cells
• C. Recipient red cells and donor plasma
• D. Donor plasma and donor red cells

Answer: (C)

A minor crossmatch specifically involves testing the recipient’s plasma against the donor’s red blood cells. This is crucial in ensuring compatibility before a blood transfusion. If recipient antibodies present in the plasma react with antigens on the donor red cells, it could lead to hemolytic reactions following the transfusion. In contrast, other options do not align with the standard procedure for a minor crossmatch. For example, recipient red cells with donor plasma would generally involve a major crossmatch instead, which tests for recipient red cell antibodies reacting to donor plasma. The focus of the minor crossmatch is to identify reactions that may occur due to the recipient's plasma interacting with the donor red cells, thereby ensuring the safety and efficacy of transfusion practices.

A minor crossmatch specifically involves testing the recipient’s plasma against the donor’s red blood cells. This is crucial in ensuring compatibility before a blood transfusion. If recipient antibodies present in the plasma react with antigens on the donor red cells, it could lead to hemolytic reactions following the transfusion.

In contrast, other options do not align with the standard procedure for a minor crossmatch. For example, recipient red cells with donor plasma would generally involve a major crossmatch instead, which tests for recipient red cell antibodies reacting to donor plasma. The focus of the minor crossmatch is to identify reactions that may occur due to the recipient's plasma interacting with the donor red cells, thereby ensuring the safety and efficacy of transfusion practices.