Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

Which blood type is considered a universal acceptor?

1. Type O

2. Type A

3. Type B

4. Type AB

The correct answer is: Type AB

Type AB blood is considered a universal acceptor because individuals with this blood type can receive red blood cells from any of the other blood types—A, B, AB, and O—without experiencing an immune reaction. This is primarily due to the absence of anti-A and anti-B antibodies in the plasma of AB blood. As a result, people with Type AB blood can accept transfusions from any other type without the risk of hemolysis or other transfusion reactions caused by incompatible blood types. In contrast, individuals with other blood types possess specific anti-bodies that can attack transfused blood cells that have different antigens. For example, Type O blood, while known as the universal donor because it lacks A and B antigens, cannot accept blood from A, B, or AB types without potentially dangerous immune responses. Type A and Type B blood types also have specific antibodies that restrict their compatibility with other blood types.