Higher Specialist Diploma
Transfusion Science
Examination – September 2022
Short-answer questions
60 minutes
Attempt all four questions
Instructions to candidates
1. Record your candidate number and HSD discipline on the front sheet of the answer
booklet
2. Record your candidate number, the question number and the page number in the spaces
provided on the answer sheets
3. Begin each new answer on a new page
4. Each question is worth 25 marks
Please note this question paper is not to be removed from the examination room.
Page | 1
HSD Transfusion Science – Sept 2022 Short Answer, Essay and Case Studies Papers FINAL EXAM PAPERS
, 1. A patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia, known to your hospital, has been
admitted to the Emergency department with symptoms of dizziness and severe
shortness of breath. Following a low haemoglobin result of 56g/l, the ward contacts you
and requests three red cells urgently.
You try to locate the sample but find that is has been referred to the local Red Cell
Immunohaematology department for investigation and crossmatch, as the antibody
screen was positive. The patient’s history shows that they were transfused three weeks
prior and the following special requirement flags are shown:
“Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia” and “positive direct antiglobulin technique”
You contact the ward, who inform you that the patient has become unresponsive, and
they need the blood now.
Discuss your immediate and follow up actions, and the reasons for your decisions.
2. You receive a phone call from the Emergency Department to say that the satellite
fridge, which contains four emergency O D Negative red cells, has been found with an
“out of temperature error” but the alarm has been silenced. The current temperature
reads “8°C” Explain and validate your actions.
3. A 32-year-old female patient arrives in the ED department with a PV (per vaginum)
bleed. She is 28 weeks pregnant. When booking in their sample you notice a previous
antibody flag for anti-f and anti-Lea.
Your current sample groups as A D Positive with a positive antibody screen. The clinical
team have asked for four units of red cells, what must you consider about this request,
how will you proceed and what red cells will you provide?
4. You have received your NEQAS report for an antigen typing exercise, and you have
received some penalty points. Here are the results that were submitted.
Hub Spoke 1 Spoke 2
Jka Jkb Jka Jkb Jka Jkb
NEQAS Patient 1
+ - + - + -
Jka Jkb Jka Jkb Jka Jkb
NEQAS Patient 2
+ - + - - -
Critically evaluate all of the results, discuss any discrepancies and possible causes and
explain your next steps as quality lead for Blood Transfusion.
Page | 2
HSD Transfusion Science – Sept 2022 Short Answer, Essay and Case Studies Papers FINAL EXAM PAPERS
Transfusion Science
Examination – September 2022
Short-answer questions
60 minutes
Attempt all four questions
Instructions to candidates
1. Record your candidate number and HSD discipline on the front sheet of the answer
booklet
2. Record your candidate number, the question number and the page number in the spaces
provided on the answer sheets
3. Begin each new answer on a new page
4. Each question is worth 25 marks
Please note this question paper is not to be removed from the examination room.
Page | 1
HSD Transfusion Science – Sept 2022 Short Answer, Essay and Case Studies Papers FINAL EXAM PAPERS
, 1. A patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia, known to your hospital, has been
admitted to the Emergency department with symptoms of dizziness and severe
shortness of breath. Following a low haemoglobin result of 56g/l, the ward contacts you
and requests three red cells urgently.
You try to locate the sample but find that is has been referred to the local Red Cell
Immunohaematology department for investigation and crossmatch, as the antibody
screen was positive. The patient’s history shows that they were transfused three weeks
prior and the following special requirement flags are shown:
“Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia” and “positive direct antiglobulin technique”
You contact the ward, who inform you that the patient has become unresponsive, and
they need the blood now.
Discuss your immediate and follow up actions, and the reasons for your decisions.
2. You receive a phone call from the Emergency Department to say that the satellite
fridge, which contains four emergency O D Negative red cells, has been found with an
“out of temperature error” but the alarm has been silenced. The current temperature
reads “8°C” Explain and validate your actions.
3. A 32-year-old female patient arrives in the ED department with a PV (per vaginum)
bleed. She is 28 weeks pregnant. When booking in their sample you notice a previous
antibody flag for anti-f and anti-Lea.
Your current sample groups as A D Positive with a positive antibody screen. The clinical
team have asked for four units of red cells, what must you consider about this request,
how will you proceed and what red cells will you provide?
4. You have received your NEQAS report for an antigen typing exercise, and you have
received some penalty points. Here are the results that were submitted.
Hub Spoke 1 Spoke 2
Jka Jkb Jka Jkb Jka Jkb
NEQAS Patient 1
+ - + - + -
Jka Jkb Jka Jkb Jka Jkb
NEQAS Patient 2
+ - + - - -
Critically evaluate all of the results, discuss any discrepancies and possible causes and
explain your next steps as quality lead for Blood Transfusion.
Page | 2
HSD Transfusion Science – Sept 2022 Short Answer, Essay and Case Studies Papers FINAL EXAM PAPERS
