Two unconscious patients X and Y whose blood group genotypes are AO and AB respectively were transfused with the blood from the same donor. Patient X immediately showed signs of difficulty in breathing while patient Y showed no negative reaction.

What should the hospital have done to prevent X from showing the symptom described above? Patient X should have

A.

undergone an agglutination test

B.

been asked for the blood group

C.

been screened for HIV

D.

undergone malaria test

Correct answer is A

The basic technique in identification of the antigens and antibodies of blood groups is the agglutination test and can be done to prevent the clumping of the red blood cell. The symptom is due to clumping due to incompatible blood transfusion.