Medical Health Encyclopedia

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

1 2 5 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X

Erythroblastosis fetalis, photomicrograph

Overview Risks Results

Blood typing

Alternative Names: Cross matching; Rh typing; ABO blood typing What the risks are: Fainting or feeling light-headed Multiple punctures to locate veins Excessive bleeding Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) Special considerations: There are many antigens besides the major ones (A, B, and Rh). Many minor antigens are not routinely detected during blood typing. If allowed to go unrecognized, they can initiate a blood transfusion reaction, usually of less magnitude than that of a major blood group incompatibility. Text Continues Below These minor antigens can be detected by cross-matching, which consists of incubating the recipient's serum with the donor's red blood cells (RBCs) in a saline solution followed by the addition of Coombs serum (see Coombs' test - indirect).

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.