What is the maximum number of white blood cells permitted in a unit of leukoreduced red cells?

What is the maximum number of white blood cells permitted in a unit of leukoreduced red cells?

• A. Less than 5 × 10^10
• B. Less than 5 × 10^6
• C. Less than 8.3 × 10^5
• D. Less than 8.3 × 10^6

Answer: (B)

The correct answer is that in a unit of leukoreduced red cells, the maximum number of white blood cells allowed is less than 5 × 10^6. This is an important standard set to ensure that the likelihood of transfusion-related immune reactions is minimized. Leukoreduction is a process that removes white blood cells from blood components, which can mitigate the risk of certain complications, such as febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions and the transmission of viral infections. Keeping the white blood cell count below this threshold significantly reduces the immune response and enhances patient safety. This specific limit of fewer than 5 × 10^6 white blood cells per unit is based on guidelines from health organizations, which aim to standardize leukoreduction practices among blood banks. Understanding this threshold is crucial for healthcare professionals to ensure compliance with transfusion safety standards and to better manage the quality of blood components being provided to patients.

The correct answer is that in a unit of leukoreduced red cells, the maximum number of white blood cells allowed is less than 5 × 10^6. This is an important standard set to ensure that the likelihood of transfusion-related immune reactions is minimized.

Leukoreduction is a process that removes white blood cells from blood components, which can mitigate the risk of certain complications, such as febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions and the transmission of viral infections. Keeping the white blood cell count below this threshold significantly reduces the immune response and enhances patient safety.

This specific limit of fewer than 5 × 10^6 white blood cells per unit is based on guidelines from health organizations, which aim to standardize leukoreduction practices among blood banks.

Understanding this threshold is crucial for healthcare professionals to ensure compliance with transfusion safety standards and to better manage the quality of blood components being provided to patients.