Purchase Solution

Irradiated Blood

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Why are some units of blood irradiated? They tend to be given to immunocomprised patients. What does irradiation actively do to the blood, that makes it safer for these patients?

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

The question answers why some units of blood are irradiated. Whether irradiated blood is safe for immunicomprised patients is determined.

Solution Preview

1) Ultraviolet irradiation of blood:

Source: http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/immune/ubi.htm

Procedure: A small amount of blood is removed from the patient (this varies according to weight of the patient). The maximum amount of blood that is withdrawn is 1-1/2 cc per pound weight of the patient and it never exceeds 300 cc. An anticoagulant is added to keep it from clotting. The blood is then irradiated with U.V. light through a window in a closed air-tight circuit. The blood is then returned to the patient.
Once is all is needed for most bacterial infections, however, an acute viral infection could require more treatments.
The ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Parts of the Brain

This quiz will test your knowledge on different areas of the brain.

How Well Do You Know Your Body?

This quiz will assess the different systems of the human body. It will examine everything from the organs to the cellular processes that occur.

Labor Comfort Measures

Do you know how to comfort someone in labor?

Birth 101

Do you know about childbirth? Find out with this quiz.

BioChemistry Basics

This Quiz will test your knowledge of the amino acids used in biological systems