Which statement about Type O blood is true?

Which statement about Type O blood is true?

• A. Can donate to Type O only
• B. Can donate to AB only
• C. Can donate to Type A or Type B only
• D. Can donate to all blood types

Answer: (D)

Type O blood lacks A and B antigens on the surface of red blood cells. Because there are no A or B antigens for anti-A or anti-B antibodies in the recipient to attack, Type O red cells can be given to people with any ABO type. That makes Type O a compatible donor across ABO types for transfused red blood cells. In practice, the universal donor designation is most precise for the Rh factor as well: Type O negative is compatible with all recipients, since it lacks A, B, and Rh antigens. If you only consider ABO compatibility, Type O can donate to all ABO types; with Rh, the full universal donor status applies specifically to O negative. The other statements imply restrictions that don’t apply when focusing on the absence of A and B antigens.

Type O blood lacks A and B antigens on the surface of red blood cells. Because there are no A or B antigens for anti-A or anti-B antibodies in the recipient to attack, Type O red cells can be given to people with any ABO type. That makes Type O a compatible donor across ABO types for transfused red blood cells. In practice, the universal donor designation is most precise for the Rh factor as well: Type O negative is compatible with all recipients, since it lacks A, B, and Rh antigens. If you only consider ABO compatibility, Type O can donate to all ABO types; with Rh, the full universal donor status applies specifically to O negative. The other statements imply restrictions that don’t apply when focusing on the absence of A and B antigens.