A preoperative teaching for autologous donation before scheduled surgery: which statement is correct?

• A. You should donate 8 weeks prior to the surgery.
• B. If you need an autologous transfusion, the blood your brother donates can be used.
• C. You can donate blood each week if your hemoglobin is stable.
• D. Any unused blood that is donated can be used

Answer: (C)

Autologous donation is about collecting your own blood before surgery so you can receive it back if needed, reducing exposure to allogeneic transfusions. Because you’re giving blood repeatedly before the operation, your hemoglobin and iron stores must stay adequate. If your labs show that your hemoglobin remains stable and iron status is good, donating on a weekly basis is a feasible option, allowing multiple units to be collected in the weeks leading up to surgery without compromising your safety. The key is maintaining a safe hemoglobin level (and iron) so that the ongoing phlebotomies don’t cause anemia or fatigue.

Eight weeks before the surgery isn’t a universal requirement; the timing is flexible and depends on how many units are planned and how your body tolerates repeated donation. A relative’s blood isn’t autologous donation, since autologous use means the patient’s own blood. And any unused autologous units are generally reserved for the donor; they aren’t automatically available for other patients.