CAP Pro Course - Blood Bank - Blood Components - Storage, Handling, and Selection (2025 & 2026)

Author: Jessica M. Mantini, MS, MLS(ASCP)
Reviewer: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Describe the composition of and indications for currently available red cell components.
  • Describe the composition of and indications for currently available non-red cell components.
  • Identify the appropriate storage and handling conditions for blood components.
  • Select appropriate compatible blood products and dosage for patients with specific clinical conditions.

Course Outline

  • Describe the composition of and indications for currently available red cell components.
      • Indications for Transfusion of Red Blood Cell (RBC) Components
      • Preparation and Composition of Red Blood Cell (RBC) Components
      • Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
      • Red Blood Cells with Adenine Saline Added
      • Leukocyte-Reduced Red Blood Cells
      • Apheresis Red Blood Cells
      • Red Blood Cells Low Volume
      • Frozen and Deglycerolized Red Blood Cells
      • Rejuvenated Red Blood Cells
      • Autologous Red Blood Cells
      • Additional Red Blood Cell Component Processing
      • For a patient at high risk of developing transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD), what would be the best type of red cell product?
      • A unit of RBCs with adenine saline added is irradiated on the day of collection. In how many days will this unit outdate?
  • Describe the composition of and indications for currently available non-red cell components.
      • Indications for Transfusion of Plasma Components
      • Preparation and Composition of Plasma Components
      • Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)
      • Plasma Frozen Within 24 Hours After Phlebotomy (PF24)
      • Thawed Plasma and Liquid Plasma
      • Cryoprecipitated Antihemophilic Factor (CRYO)
      • Plasma Cryoprecipitate Reduced
      • Indications for the Transfusion of Platelet Components
      • Preparation and Composition of Platelet Components
      • Platelets and Pooled Platelets
      • Apheresis Platelets
      • Apheresis Granulocytes
      • Additional Non-Red Blood Cell Component Processing
      • Which of the following patients has a strong indication for FFP transfusion?
      • A patient with a diagnosis of liver disease is bleeding. Coagulation tests are ordered to determine the need for transfusion of FFP. What minimum Inte...
  • Select appropriate compatible blood products and dosage for patients with specific clinical conditions.
      • Selection of Compatible Red Cell Components
      • Dosage of Red Cell Components
      • Selection of Compatible Plasma Components
      • Dosage of Plasma Components
      • Selection of Compatible Platelet Products
      • Dosage of Platelet Components
      • Emergency Release of Blood Products
      • A trauma patient's specimen is received with an order to transfuse four units of RBCs. The ABO type is quickly confirmed to be A positive. The antibod...
      • Patient FL is admitted for his second surgery in the past month. Given the pre-transfusion testing results below for both admissions, which red cell u...
  • Identify the appropriate storage and handling conditions for blood components.
      • Storage and Transport of Red Cell Components
      • Storage and Transport of Plasma Components
      • Storage and Transport of Platelet Components
      • Storage Lesion
      • Reissue of Blood Components
      • Which of the following findings would make a unit of RBCs ineligible for reissue if returned to transfusion services?
      • Which of the following patients may benefit from using fresher red cell products that have not undergone significant storage lesion biochemical change...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS, MT, and MLT personnel, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information: Jessica M. Mantini, MS, MLS(ASCP), is a clinical instructor of Immunohematology at the Ohio State University School of Allied Medical Professions and the Program Director for the Medical Laboratory Science Division. She holds an MS in Allied Health Management from Ohio State University.
Reviewer Information: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is currently an Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and MLS programs.

This course is part of the CAP Competency Assessment Hub.

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