Blood banking: donors, collection, storage and components

26 Kerala PSC Lab Technician Gr II practice questions on Blood banking: donors, collection, storage and components, part of Pathology. The first 25 are below; the first 5 with answers and explanations (tap Show answer after you have chosen), the rest in Learn with a free account.

Question 1 · Easy
Under NBTC guidelines, the age range for whole blood donors in India is:
1. A18 to 50 years
2. B21 to 70 years
3. C18 to 65 years
4. D16 to 60 years
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Answer: C · 18 to 65 years
Indian donor rules (NBTC guidelines and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules) accept whole blood donors aged 18 to 65 years. A first-time donor is accepted only up to 60 years of age. People under 18 are not accepted as donors. Age is checked along with weight, hemoglobin, pulse, blood pressure, temperature and medical history before every donation.
- A: The upper limit is 65 years, not 50.
- B: The lower limit is 18, not 21, and 70 is above the upper limit.
- D: 16 is below the minimum donor age of 18 in India.
Question 2 · Medium
A 350 mL blood bag contains 49 mL of CPDA-1. How much CPDA-1 is needed in a 450 mL bag to keep the same ratio?
1. A56 mL
2. B49 mL
3. C50 mL
4. D63 mL
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Answer: D · 63 mL
The ratio is 49 mL per 350 mL, which is 14 mL of CPDA-1 for every 100 mL of blood. For 450 mL: 450 × 14 ÷ 100 = 63 mL. Too little anticoagulant lets small clots form, while too much (an underfilled bag) dilutes the unit and the excess citrate harms the red cells. This is why a light donor must not be bled into a 450 mL bag.
- A: 56 mL is the amount for 400 mL of blood, not 450 mL.
- B: 49 mL is the amount for 350 mL; it is too little for 450 mL.
- C: 50 mL applies the 1:9 citrate-to-blood ratio of coagulation tubes.
Question 3 · Medium
A healthy donor weighs 50 kg. Under Indian rules, how much whole blood should be collected from him?
1. A500 mL
2. B350 mL
3. C450 mL
4. D250 mL
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Answer: B · 350 mL
Indian donor rules allow a 350 mL collection from donors weighing 45 kg or more, and a 450 mL collection only from donors of about 55 kg or more. A 50 kg donor therefore gives 350 mL into a bag with the matching volume of anticoagulant. Taking more would remove too large a share of his blood volume and raise the risk of a fainting (vasovagal) reaction. A person under 45 kg cannot donate whole blood.
- A: 500 mL is more than Indian rules allow for whole blood.
- C: 450 mL is collected only from donors of about 55 kg or more.
- D: 250 mL is not a standard Indian whole blood collection.
Question 4 · Medium
In copper sulphate screening of donors, a drop of blood sinks within 15 seconds in solution of specific gravity 1.053. This shows that the hemoglobin is:
1. AToo high to donate
2. BAt least 12.5 g/dL
3. CExactly 15.0 g/dL
4. DBelow 12.5 g/dL
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Answer: B · At least 12.5 g/dL
Copper sulphate of specific gravity 1.053 matches blood with a hemoglobin of 12.5 g/dL, the Indian minimum for donors. A drop of denser blood (higher hemoglobin) sinks within about 15 seconds, so the donor passes the screen. A drop that floats or sinks slowly suggests a lower hemoglobin, and the donor is rechecked by a quantitative method or deferred. The solution is kept capped and changed regularly, because evaporation changes its specific gravity.
- A: Sinking shows the donor meets the minimum; it does not show an excess.
- C: The test is qualitative and cannot give an exact value.
- D: A drop that floats or hangs suggests hemoglobin below 12.5 g/dL.
Question 5 · Easy
Under current Indian rules, the minimum interval between two whole blood donations by a woman is:
1. A8 weeks (56 days)
2. B6 months (180 days)
3. C3 months (90 days)
4. D4 months (120 days)
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Answer: D · 4 months (120 days)
Indian donor rules (NBTC guidelines and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules as amended in 2020) set the whole blood donation interval at 90 days for men and 120 days for women. The longer interval for women allows for smaller iron stores and losses from menstruation and pregnancy. The 8-week (56-day) interval is the United States rule. Donors who give too often risk iron deficiency.
- A: 56 days is the US interval, not the Indian rule.
- B: 180 days is longer than the rule requires.
- C: 90 days is the minimum interval for male donors.
Question 6 · Hard
Random-donor platelets are made by the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) method. Platelet counts in the bags are low, and most platelets stayed with the red cells after the first centrifugation. The most likely error is:
1. AThe second spin was a hard spin
2. BWhole blood was held at 20-24 °C
3. CThe first spin was a hard spin
4. DThe pellet was rested before mixing
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 7 · Hard
Because of poor flow, collection of a 350 mL unit takes 20 minutes. Which component can still be prepared from this unit?
1. APlatelet concentrate
2. BCryoprecipitate
3. CPacked red cells
4. DFresh frozen plasma
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 8 · Medium
A healthy 28-year-old man had a tattoo done 4 months ago. Under NBTC donor selection guidelines, he should be:
1. ADeferred until 6 months after the tattoo
2. BDeferred permanently
3. CAccepted as a donor today
4. DDeferred until 12 months after the tattoo
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 9 · Easy
What is the shelf life of red cells kept in SAGM additive solution at 2-6°C?
1. A21 days
2. B1 year
3. C42 days
4. D35 days
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 10 · Easy
How are platelet concentrates stored?
1. A2-6°C without agitation
2. B20-24°C with gentle agitation
3. C37°C in a water bath
4. D-30°C or colder
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 11 · Easy
Which ingredient was added to CPD to make CPDA-1, extending red cell storage from 21 to 35 days?
1. APhosphate
2. BDextrose
3. CCitrate
4. DAdenine
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 12 · Medium
Cryoprecipitate is made by thawing fresh frozen plasma at 1-6°C. Why at this low temperature?
1. ABacteria cannot grow below 6°C
2. BFactor VIII and fibrinogen stay undissolved
3. CPlatelets in the plasma stay intact
4. DRed cells in the plasma do not lyse
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 13 · Medium
A trainee suggests refrigerating platelet bags to reduce bacterial growth. Why is this not done?
1. ACold storage shortens platelet survival after transfusion
2. BPlasma proteins precipitate in cold platelet bags
3. CPlatelets freeze solid at 2-6°C
4. DRefrigeration promotes bacterial growth in the bag
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 14 · Medium
As a red cell unit nears the end of its storage, which change is seen?
1. A2,3-DPG rises
2. BPlasma potassium rises
3. CpH rises
4. DRed cell ATP rises
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Question 15 · Easy
Citrate in a blood bag stops clotting by:
1. ABinding fibrinogen
2. BInactivating thrombin
3. CBlocking platelet receptors
4. DBinding calcium
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Question 16 · Easy
Under NBTC guidelines, a male donor may give whole blood again after a minimum of:
1. A3 months
2. B1 month
3. C6 months
4. D12 months
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Question 17 · Medium
The dextrose in CPDA-1 helps stored red cells by:
1. AKeeping the pH from falling
2. BPreventing the blood from clotting
3. CStabilising the red cell membrane
4. DProviding fuel for ATP production
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 18 · Medium
Prestorage leucoreduction of red cell units mainly prevents:
1. ATransfusion-associated circulatory overload
2. BFebrile non-hemolytic reactions
3. CAllergic urticarial reactions
4. DAcute hemolytic reactions
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Question 19 · Easy
Whole blood and packed red cells are stored at:
1. A20-24°C
2. B8-12°C
3. C-30°C
4. D2-6°C
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 20 · Medium
A patient with DIC is bleeding. Fibrinogen is 70 mg/dL (normal 200-400). Which component best corrects this?
1. APlatelet concentrate
2. BCryoprecipitate
3. CAlbumin 20%
4. DPacked red cells
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 21 · Easy
Under Indian rules, fresh frozen plasma is stored at:
1. A-30°C or colder for up to one year
2. B-4°C for up to one month
3. C2-6°C for up to 35 days
4. D20-24°C for up to 5 days
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 22 · Easy
What is the minimum body weight for a donor to give a 350 mL unit of whole blood in India?
1. A55 kg
2. B40 kg
3. C60 kg
4. D45 kg
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Question 23 · Hard
A healthy 30-year-old man arrives for plateletpheresis. Hb 14 g/dL, platelets 2.4 lakh/µL, BP 120/80 mmHg. He took aspirin for a headache 24 hours ago. The right decision is to:
1. AAccept after giving desmopressin
2. BDefer plateletpheresis for at least 3 days
3. CAccept him for plateletpheresis today
4. DDefer him permanently from donating
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 24 · Hard
On day 30 of storage at 2-6°C, a red cell unit shows dark purple cells, a pink plasma zone and small clots. What should be done?
1. AReturn it to storage for 5 days
2. BMix it well and issue it
3. CWash the cells and then issue them
4. DQuarantine it and culture for bacteria
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Question 25 · Hard
A 60 kg adult has Hb 6.0 g/dL before surgery. The target is about 9 g/dL. Assuming no bleeding, roughly how many units of packed red cells are needed?
1. A6
2. B3
3. C1
4. D9
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

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Blood banking: donors, collection, storage and components

Under NBTC guidelines, the age range for whole blood donors in India is:

A 350 mL blood bag contains 49 mL of CPDA-1. How much CPDA-1 is needed in a 450 mL bag to keep the same ratio?

A healthy donor weighs 50 kg. Under Indian rules, how much whole blood should be collected from him?

In copper sulphate screening of donors, a drop of blood sinks within 15 seconds in solution of specific gravity 1.053. This shows that the hemoglobin is:

Under current Indian rules, the minimum interval between two whole blood donations by a woman is:

Random-donor platelets are made by the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) method. Platelet counts in the bags are low, and most platelets stayed with the red cells after the first centrifugation. The most likely error is:

Because of poor flow, collection of a 350 mL unit takes 20 minutes. Which component can still be prepared from this unit?

A healthy 28-year-old man had a tattoo done 4 months ago. Under NBTC donor selection guidelines, he should be:

What is the shelf life of red cells kept in SAGM additive solution at 2-6°C?

How are platelet concentrates stored?

Which ingredient was added to CPD to make CPDA-1, extending red cell storage from 21 to 35 days?

Cryoprecipitate is made by thawing fresh frozen plasma at 1-6°C. Why at this low temperature?

A trainee suggests refrigerating platelet bags to reduce bacterial growth. Why is this not done?

As a red cell unit nears the end of its storage, which change is seen?

Citrate in a blood bag stops clotting by:

Under NBTC guidelines, a male donor may give whole blood again after a minimum of:

The dextrose in CPDA-1 helps stored red cells by:

Prestorage leucoreduction of red cell units mainly prevents:

Whole blood and packed red cells are stored at:

A patient with DIC is bleeding. Fibrinogen is 70 mg/dL (normal 200-400). Which component best corrects this?

Under Indian rules, fresh frozen plasma is stored at:

What is the minimum body weight for a donor to give a 350 mL unit of whole blood in India?

A healthy 30-year-old man arrives for plateletpheresis. Hb 14 g/dL, platelets 2.4 lakh/µL, BP 120/80 mmHg. He took aspirin for a headache 24 hours ago. The right decision is to:

On day 30 of storage at 2-6°C, a red cell unit shows dark purple cells, a pink plasma zone and small clots. What should be done?

A 60 kg adult has Hb 6.0 g/dL before surgery. The target is about 9 g/dL. Assuming no bleeding, roughly how many units of packed red cells are needed?