Blood Health, Medicine, Nursing Coursework Research

The Blood
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The Blood Plasma- (Q2)
The plasma is the most considerable component and liquid portion of the blood. It appears straw-colored or light-yellowish and is extracted when all the cells (leukocytes, RBCs, and platelets) are removed. More than 90 percent of this component is water, while the rest consists of dissolved substances. These include hormones, antibodies, proteins, electrolytes, nutrient molecules, and gases. Blood plasma acts as a medium for transporting nutrients to the cells of the different body organs. It also carries waste products obtained from cellular metabolism to the lungs, kidneys, and liver for excretion (Benjamin, R.J. and McLaughlin, L.S., 2012). Other crucial roles of this blood component include transportation of all parts of the blood throughout the circulatory system, maintenance of normal blood pressure, and aiding heat distribution through the entire body.
Electrolytes are essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles. Calcium, potassium, sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate assist regulation of pH balance in the blood. Proteins make about 7% of the blood plasma, which plays different crucial roles in the body. Immunoglobulins are a vital class of proteins that supply protective antibodies in response to bacterial or viral antigens. Cytokines help in the regulation of inflammation and maintenance of normal blood cell formation. Coagulation proteins and their inhibitors play a crucial role in clotting, preventing excessive blood loss (Benjamin, R.J. and McLaughlin, L.S., 2012).
Other proteins' roles include carrying fatty acids and hormones, maintaining osmotic balance, carrying clotting factors, and providing viscosity to the blood. The plasma contains dissolved nutrients such as fats, minerals, vitamins, glucose, amino acids, and varying amounts of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Blood compatibility -(Q 3b)
During a blood transfusion, the recipient's blood must contain the same antigens as the donor. Understanding blood group compatibility is vital in ensuring that individuals are not at risk of receiving incompatible blood types in the type of need, like during surgery or blood transfusion. Mixing two different blood types can cause blood cells clumping, which may be potentially fatal (Ezugwu, Otegbeye, O., Govender, and Odo, 2020). Prior testing and cross-matching of the recipient's blood against the donor reduce the risk of transfusion reaction.
Human blood comes in multiple blood groups categorized based on their genetic composition. The protein antigen is present outside the red blood cells. The ABO blood typing system comprises of four primary types:
1 Blood type A: It consists of Group A antigens and produces antibodies to fight blood Group B.
2 Blood type B: Contains antigens of blood Group B and makes antibodies capable of fighting Group A blood.
3 Type AB blood: Comprises of both Group B and A antigens but does not make antibodies for any of them.
4 Type O: Is termed as the universal donor because it lacks both types of antigens and can be donated to recipients within the four blood types.
(Q4a)
A patient in the A blood group has anti-B antibodies that occur naturally in their blood. ...