Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

Autotransfusion would least likely be utilized during which of these procedures?

1. Elective knee surgery

2. Emergency C-section

3. Major abdominal surgery

4. Orthopedic surgeries

The correct answer is: Emergency C-section

Autotransfusion refers to the process of collecting, processing, and reinfusing a patient's own blood, typically during and after surgical procedures to reduce the need for allogeneic (donor) blood transfusions. It is particularly advantageous in procedures where significant blood loss is anticipated, enabling more rapid recovery and minimizing the risk of transfusion-related complications. In the context of the provided options, emergency procedures like a C-section often occur under conditions where immediate action is necessary due to potential serious maternal or fetal complications. In such situations, there may not be the opportunity or time to effectively perform autotransfusion due to the urgency of the situation. Blood loss during emergency C-sections can be unpredictable and rapid, which often necessitates immediate access to allogeneic blood supplies rather than the collection and processing required for autotransfusion. In contrast, elective knee surgeries, major abdominal surgeries, and orthopedic surgeries are typically planned procedures where there is more time to manage blood loss and consider autotransfusion as part of the patient’s care pathway. During these surgeries, adequate measures can be taken to collect a patient’s blood, especially if preoperative assessments signal a likelihood of blood loss.