National League for Nursing (NLN PAX) Practice Exam

Type AB blood is often referred to as the universal recipient type because individuals with this blood type can receive blood from any other blood type without experiencing an immune response. This is due to the presence of both A and B antigens on the surface of type AB red blood cells, meaning they do not produce antibodies against either A or B antigens. Therefore, individuals with type AB blood can safely receive blood from donors who have type A, type B, or type O blood, in addition to their own type AB blood.

When considering the compatibility of blood types during transfusions, it is essential to match the donor's blood type with that of the recipient to prevent any adverse transfusion reactions that may occur due to the presence of incompatible antigens. In contrast, individuals with types A, B, and O blood may each face restrictions on which blood types they can safely receive. Thus, type AB blood is especially unique in that it is a suitable match for transfusions for those with the same blood type.