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ADVERSE
DONOR REACTIONS
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| Donor reactions may
occur at any time during or after phlebotomy. Never leave a blood donor unattended after phlebotomy till he / she is allowed to leave the donor room about 15-20 minutes after completion of blood donation Many blood donors refuse to have tea/coffee and biscuits after donation. Insist that they have a glass full of glucose in water or at least a glass of water. Such donors are to be kept in donor room for 15-20 minutes after donation. |
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Syncope
(fainting or vasovagal attack) is characterized by sweating, weakness,
dizziness or loss of consciousness. The skin is usually cold, blood pressure
may be low and the pulse may become thready. If this happens during blood
collection, discontinue collection. Make the donor lie down with head-low
position. Raise the donor’s legs above the level of the torso; tell him
to breathe slowly and deeply. If any garment is tight fitting, loosen
it. Call for help and inform the doctor on duty. Give inhalation of spirit
of ammonia. If no improvement is observed within 2-3 minutes give oxygen
inhalation. Drugs may be necessary. |
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Hyperventilation
or rapid breathing may lead to muscular twitching or spasms. Make the
donor lie down and breathe into a paper bag for 30 to 45 seconds. |
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Nausea
and vomiting. Make the donor lie down with head-low position and raise
the legs above the level of torso. Check the blood pressure. A fall of
10 mm in both systolic & diastolic pressures from the pre-donation
levels is expected. Call the doctor on duty. If blood pressure is consistently
lower than the expected pressure medication may be necessary. |
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Convulsions.
Call for help. Inform the doctor on duty. Allow the donor to lie down
with head turned on one side to allow free breathing. Keep airway open.
Medication may become necessary. |
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Haematoma
at the site of phlebotomy. |
