Question

Blood transfusion should be completed within how many hours of initiation?

• A. 1 to 4 hours
• B. 3 to 6 hours
• C. 4 to 8 hours
• D. 8 to 12 hours

Hint:

Remember the standard 4-hour limit once the pack is spiked.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Once a unit of blood leaves controlled refrigeration and the transfusion set pierces the pack, the blood begins to warm to room temperature, which favours bacterial growth.

Step 2: To keep the risk of bacterial proliferation and red cell deterioration low, a single unit must be infused and completed within a maximum of 4 hours from the time the infusion is started.

Step 3: If a transfusion cannot be finished within 4 hours, the remaining blood should be discarded rather than slowed further. This is why the safe window is 1 to 4 hours.

Step 4: The longer options (3 to 6, 4 to 8 and 8 to 12 hours) all exceed the safe limit and would allow unacceptable bacterial contamination, so the correct answer is 1 to 4 hours.