Anesthesia Technician Practice Exam

When a large volume of blood is lost during surgery, what type of blood transfusion is typically administered?

1. Whole blood

2. Platelets

3. Packed red blood cells

4. Cryoprecipitate

The correct answer is: Packed red blood cells

In cases of significant blood loss during surgery, packed red blood cells (PRBCs) are typically administered as they are specifically designed to restore the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. PRBCs are concentrated units of red blood cells with most of the plasma removed, which makes them effective for raising hemoglobin levels and improving tissue oxygenation without the volume overload that might accompany a whole blood transfusion. Whole blood, while viable in certain circumstances, is not commonly used for mass transfusion due to concerns about volume overload and the need for specific components (like platelets or clotting factors) that may also be required in a large-volume resuscitation scenario. Platelet transfusions are specifically indicated for patients with thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction, usually not in the context of volume resuscitation after a large blood loss. Similarly, cryoprecipitate is primarily used to address deficiencies in clotting factors and is not the first choice when the immediate need is to replenish red blood cells. Thus, the choice of packed red blood cells is the most appropriate in the context of a large volume of blood loss during surgery.