If a transfusion reaction is suspected, what should be done with unused blood and blood tubing?

• A. Return to the blood bank for testing
• B. Discard in regular trash
• C. Keep for later use
• D. Reuse for the next patient

Answer: (A)

When a transfusion reaction is suspected, you preserve evidence for investigation. The unused blood product and its tubing should be returned to the blood bank for testing. This allows the transfusion service to trace the exact unit and analyze it alongside the patient’s samples to identify the cause of the reaction, such as incompatibility, contamination, or other issues. Discarding the product, keeping it for later use, or reusing it would destroy crucial evidence and hinder proper investigation, potentially endangering future patients.