(9)
If any symptoms persist, either return to blood bank or see a doctor.
(10) You may resume all normal activities after about a 1/2 if you feel well.
(11) It is probably best not to ride in fast elevators, to do strenuous work or
exercise, or to visit a patient in the hospital until after you have eaten.
(12) Your blood volume returns to normal very rapidly (normal volume ranges
from 4,000 ml (8 pints) to 5,500 ml (11 pints), depending on size and weight).
e. STEP 5: Advise the donor to remain for a few minutes. Thank the donor for
an important contribution, encourage repeat donation after proper interval, and escort
donor to the refreshment area. The person on duty in this area should be friendly and
qualified to observe for any signs of delayed reaction, competent to interpret instructions
and answer questions, and responsible for releasing donor in good condition.
f. STEP 6: Record on the donor's card if he leaves against advice to stay. The
medical director of the blood bank must establish a mechanism to notify donors if he
considers that any clinically significant abnormalities have been detected in either pre-
donation evaluation or in post-donation laboratory tests, especially confirmed positive
tests for hepatitis or syphilis.
1-15. DONOR REACTIONS
Most donors tolerate donating very well, but occasionally an adverse reaction
may occur. Personnel must be trained to recognize and treat reactions, and suitable
equipment must be available.
a. Causes and Symptoms.
(1) Syncope (fainting or vasovagal syndrome) may be caused by the sight
of blood, blood donation by another individual, and by individual or group excitement.
Whether caused by pre-donation psychologic factors or a neurophysiologic response to
blood donation, the various symptoms may include: weakness, diaphoresis
(perspiration), dizziness, pallor, nausea, loss of consciousness, convulsions, and
involuntary bowel or urinary passage. The skin feels cold, there is a fall in blood
pressure (systolic level of 50 mmHg or 60 mmHg), or the blood pressure may become
un-recordable. The pulse rate may slow to as low as 40 beats per minute.
(2) Convulsions may occur during blood donation, and several
considerations are involved; for example, they may occur in a donor who is an epileptic;
another aspect is deep or over-breathing, in which the excited donor loses an excess of
CO2 resulting in alkalosis and hyperventilation tetany.
MD0845
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