ABO Blood Group, continued…..

• Based on your chart, what blood type can receive blood of any other type?

• Type AB is called the universal recipient.

• Based on your chart, what blood type can donate blood to any other type?

• Type O is called the universal donor.

• Giving vs. receiving

Rh Blood Group

• Named for the rhesus monkey, where it was first identified.

• If Rh antigens are pregnant, you are Rh-positive.

• No Rh antigens = Rh-negative

• Only 15% of the U.S. population is Rh-negative.

Rh Blood Group, continued…..

• Rh antibodies are not automatically present in the plasma – they are produced in response to exposure to Rh antigens

• Rh-negative women who give birth to an Rh-positive fetus may develop antibodies which could destroy the fetal RBC’s in a second Rh-positive pregnancy (erythroblastosis fetalis)