Anesthesia Technician Practice Exam

What is the primary advantage of using autologous transfusion?

1. Reduced risk of transfusion reactions

2. Availability during emergencies

3. Lower cost

4. Enhanced oxygen transport

The correct answer is: Reduced risk of transfusion reactions

The primary advantage of using autologous transfusion is the reduced risk of transfusion reactions. When a patient donates their blood for their own future use—typically done prior to elective surgeries—it minimizes the likelihood of adverse reactions associated with receiving blood from donors, such as allergic reactions or hemolytic reactions. Since the blood is from the same individual, the immune system is much less likely to recognize it as foreign, making autologous transfusions a safer option for patients. While availability during emergencies, lower cost, and enhanced oxygen transport can be points of discussion regarding blood transfusions, they do not specifically highlight a primary advantage of autologous transfusion. For example, in emergency situations, the timely availability of donor blood may still be critical, and autologous blood may not be accessible as quickly. Costs can vary and often do not significantly decrease with autologous transfusions when considering collection and processing expenses. Similarly, while oxygen transport capabilities of blood remain intact in autologous transfusion, this is not a distinct benefit when compared to allogeneic transfusion. The standout feature remains the significantly lowered risk of transfusion reactions, making it crucial for patient safety.