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Multiple Choice

What occurs if type B blood is mistakenly given to a person with type A blood?

ABO incompatibility triggers a transfusion reaction because someone with type A blood has anti-B antibodies in their plasma. When type B blood is given, those anti-B antibodies bind to the B antigens on the donor red blood cells. This antibody–antigen binding cross-links the cells, causing them to clump together in a process called agglutination. Agglutination is the immediate observable consequence of the mismatch and can lead to destruction of the donor cells (hemolysis) and other symptoms, which is why the reaction isn’t simply “no reaction” or limited to fever without hemolysis.

ABO incompatibility triggers a transfusion reaction because someone with type A blood has anti-B antibodies in their plasma. When type B blood is given, those anti-B antibodies bind to the B antigens on the donor red blood cells. This antibody–antigen binding cross-links the cells, causing them to clump together in a process called agglutination. Agglutination is the immediate observable consequence of the mismatch and can lead to destruction of the donor cells (hemolysis) and other symptoms, which is why the reaction isn’t simply “no reaction” or limited to fever without hemolysis.