Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) Practice Exam

Which of the following statements is true regarding agglutination?

1. It is a type of anaemia caused by nutrient deficiencies.

2. It refers to the clumping of cells, such as in transfusion reactions.

3. It is a symptom of low red blood cell production.

4. It primarily affects leukocyte function.

The correct answer is: It refers to the clumping of cells, such as in transfusion reactions.

The chosen statement accurately describes agglutination as it refers to the clumping of cells, which is particularly evident during transfusion reactions. In the context of blood transfusions, agglutination occurs when antibodies in the recipient's blood recognize and bind to antigens present on the transfused red blood cells that are foreign to the recipient. This immune response leads to visible clumping, which can cause various complications, including hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) and may result in severe adverse reactions in the patient. Understanding agglutination is crucial in the context of transfusion medicine, as recognizing the potential for incompatible blood types is essential for patient safety. Therefore, the significance of agglutination goes beyond simply being a cellular phenomenon; it is vital for preventing transfusion-related complications and ensuring suitable blood matching practices.