Whole blood: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:08, 15 February 2025

Whole Blood[edit]

Whole blood is a term used in blood donation and blood transfusion to refer to the blood that is drawn directly from the body and contains all its components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. It is the most basic form of blood product and is used in various medical treatments.

Components of Whole Blood[edit]

Whole blood consists of several key components, each with specific functions:

Red blood cells (RBCs): These cells are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and returning carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation.

White blood cells (WBCs): These cells are part of the immune system and help the body fight infections and other diseases.

Platelets: These are small cell fragments that play a crucial role in blood clotting and wound healing.

Plasma: The liquid component of blood, plasma is a yellowish fluid that carries nutrients, hormones, and proteins throughout the body. It also serves as a medium for the other blood components.

Uses of Whole Blood[edit]

Whole blood is used in various medical situations, including:

Trauma and surgery: Whole blood can be used to replace blood lost due to injury or during surgical procedures.

Anemia: In cases of severe anemia, whole blood transfusions can help increase the number of red blood cells in the body.

Blood disorders: Certain blood disorders may require whole blood transfusions to manage symptoms and improve patient outcomes.

Blood Donation[edit]

Blood donation is a vital process for maintaining blood supply.

Blood donation is a voluntary process where individuals donate their blood for use in medical treatments. Donated whole blood can be separated into its components, allowing for more targeted treatments. For example, red blood cells can be used for patients with anemia, while plasma can be used for patients with clotting disorders.

Processing and Storage[edit]

After donation, whole blood is typically processed to separate it into its individual components. This allows for more efficient use of the blood supply, as different patients may require different components. Whole blood can be stored for a limited time under specific conditions to maintain its viability for transfusion.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Whole blood''' is [[human blood]] from a standard [[venipuncture]] which has not been processed or separated. This includes the four main components of blood: [[red blood cells]], [[white blood cells]], [[platelets]], and [[plasma]]. Whole blood is used in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including trauma, surgery, and certain diseases.
+== Whole Blood ==
-==Composition==
+[[File:BloodDonationRedCross.jpg|thumb|right|A blood donation session]]
-Whole blood is composed of roughly 55% plasma and 45% cellular components. The cellular components are primarily red blood cells, but also include white blood cells and platelets. The plasma portion of whole blood is a yellowish liquid that carries cells, platelets, and dissolved substances throughout the body.
-===Red Blood Cells===
+'''Whole blood''' is a term used in [[blood donation]] and [[blood transfusion]] to refer to the blood that is drawn directly from the body and contains all its components, including [[red blood cells]], [[white blood cells]], [[platelets]], and [[plasma]]. It is the most basic form of blood product and is used in various medical treatments.
-[[Red blood cells]], or erythrocytes, make up the majority of the cellular components in whole blood. They are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and returning carbon dioxide to the lungs to be exhaled.
-===White Blood Cells===
+== Components of Whole Blood ==
-[[White blood cells]], or leukocytes, are part of the body's immune system. They help the body fight off infections by attacking bacteria, viruses, and other harmful invaders.
-===Platelets===
+Whole blood consists of several key components, each with specific functions:
-[[Platelets]], or thrombocytes, are small cell fragments that play a crucial role in blood clotting. When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets clump together to form a plug that helps prevent blood loss.
-===Plasma===
+* '''[[Red blood cells]] (RBCs)''': These cells are responsible for carrying [[oxygen]] from the lungs to the rest of the body and returning [[carbon dioxide]] to the lungs for exhalation.
-[[Plasma]] is the liquid portion of whole blood. It is primarily water, but also contains proteins, hormones, minerals, and vitamins. Plasma serves as a transport medium for delivering nutrients to the cells of the body and carrying waste products away.
-==Uses==
+* '''[[White blood cells]] (WBCs)''': These cells are part of the [[immune system]] and help the body fight infections and other diseases.
-Whole blood is commonly used in medical treatments such as [[blood transfusion]]. It is especially useful in situations where patients have lost a lot of blood, such as in trauma or major surgery. Whole blood can also be used for diagnostic purposes, as it can be tested to determine blood type, detect diseases, and assess overall health.
-==Collection and Storage==
+* '''[[Platelets]]''': These are small cell fragments that play a crucial role in [[blood clotting]] and wound healing.
-Whole blood is typically collected through venipuncture, where a needle is inserted into a vein to draw blood. Once collected, whole blood can be stored in blood banks for future use. Proper storage conditions are crucial to maintain the viability of the blood components.
+* '''[[Plasma]]''': The liquid component of blood, plasma is a yellowish fluid that carries nutrients, hormones, and proteins throughout the body. It also serves as a medium for the other blood components.
+== Uses of Whole Blood ==
+Whole blood is used in various medical situations, including:
+* '''[[Trauma]] and [[surgery]]''': Whole blood can be used to replace blood lost due to injury or during surgical procedures.
+* '''[[Anemia]]''': In cases of severe anemia, whole blood transfusions can help increase the number of red blood cells in the body.
+* '''[[Blood disorders]]''': Certain blood disorders may require whole blood transfusions to manage symptoms and improve patient outcomes.
+== Blood Donation ==
+[[File:BloodDonationRedCross.jpg|thumb|left|Blood donation is a vital process for maintaining blood supply.]]
+Blood donation is a voluntary process where individuals donate their blood for use in medical treatments. Donated whole blood can be separated into its components, allowing for more targeted treatments. For example, red blood cells can be used for patients with anemia, while plasma can be used for patients with clotting disorders.
+== Processing and Storage ==
+After donation, whole blood is typically processed to separate it into its individual components. This allows for more efficient use of the blood supply, as different patients may require different components. Whole blood can be stored for a limited time under specific conditions to maintain its viability for transfusion.
+== Related Pages ==
-==See Also==
 * [[Blood transfusion]]
 * [[Blood donation]]
-* [[Blood type]]
+* [[Blood component therapy]]
 * [[Blood bank]]
-[[Category:Blood]]
 [[Category:Hematology]]
 [[Category:Transfusion medicine]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}