Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

What is a significant benefit of autotransfusion?

1. It always improves the blood volume rapidly

2. It guarantees compatibility with inherited blood types

3. It reduces reactions to the transfusion by using the patient’s own blood

4. It eliminates the risk of infection completely

The correct answer is: It reduces reactions to the transfusion by using the patient’s own blood

The significant benefit of autotransfusion lies in its ability to reduce reactions to the transfusion by using the patient’s own blood. Since the blood collected and reinfused during autotransfusion comes directly from the patient, the risk of allergic reactions or hemolytic reactions associated with donor blood is greatly diminished. This is particularly important in scenarios where patients may have had prior transfusions or sensitization to blood products, making the use of their own blood a much safer option. While it is true that autotransfusion can help manage blood volume effectively, it does not always guarantee a rapid improvement in blood volume. Additionally, although using the patient's own blood does increase compatibility regarding blood types, it does not offer an absolute guarantee as the body's own immune responses can still vary. Lastly, while autotransfusion can significantly reduce the risk of infection compared to allogeneic transfusions, it does not eliminate this risk entirely, especially if proper sterile techniques are not followed. Thus, the notable advantage of using autotransfusion is its ability to mitigate transfusion reactions by utilizing the patient's own blood.