How to Answer: What are some transmission-associated adverse reactions you can think of?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Blood Bank Laboratory Technician job interview.
21. What are some transmission-associated adverse reactions you can think of?
How to Answer
Although adverse reactions are not common following blood transfusions, they are tracked so that the CDC can better understand them and develop interventions to prevent them. While blood bank lab technicians do not administer transfusions, it is still important to understand the process and what a patient may expect.
Written by Darby Faubion on November 17th, 2018
Entry Level
"The first reaction that comes to mind is a hypotensive transfusion reaction which is a drop in systolic blood pressure occurring soon after a transfusion begins. It usually responds quickly to cessation of the transfusion and supportive treatment. "
Written by Darby Faubion on November 17th, 2018
Answer Example
"One possibility of an adverse response is an allergic reaction resulting from an interaction of an allergen in the transfused blood with antibodies in the person receiving the blood transfusion."
Written by Darby Faubion on November 17th, 2018
Experienced
"While there are several reactions I can think of, one of the major reactions I know is an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. This is the rapid destruction of red blood cells that occurs during, immediately after, or within 24 hours of a transfusion when a patient is given an incompatible blood type. The recipient's body immediately begins to destroy the donated red blood cells resulting in fever, pain, and sometimes severe complications such as kidney failure."
Written by Darby Faubion on November 17th, 2018