BLOOD DONATION

    A donor gives 420 cm3 of blood from a vein in the arm. The blood is led into a sterilized bottle containing sodium citrate which prevents clotting.

A blood donor.

    The Blood is then stored at 5°C for 10 days, or longer if glucose is added. Before blood is transfused, even though both the blood groups of both the donor and the recipient are known, it is carefully tested against each other to make sure of a good match. Then the donor's blood is fed into one of the patient's arm veins at the correct rate and temperature. In a few hours, the donor will have made up his or her blood to the normal volume and in a week or two the red cells will have been replaced.

    Usually, a prospective donor is required to complete and sign a Declaration Form before he/she is allowed donate his/her blood.

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©Copyright TQ Team 25896, 1999. The Circulatory System- Online Learning.