Donor Selection & Questionnaire

Question 1

What is the minimum age requirement to donate blood products in most states?

Answer 1

16 years old with parental consent

Some states require donors to be at least 17 years old.

Question 2

Is there an upper age limit to donate blood?

Answer 2

No upper age limit

Some blood centers may coordinate with physicians for donors of advanced age.

Question 3

What is the minimum weight requirement for blood donors set by the FDA?

Answer 3

110 pounds (50 kilograms)

This requirement applies regardless of age, height, or gender.

Question 4

Can blood centers impose stricter weight parameters than the FDA’s requirement?

Answer 4

Yes, based on individual circumstances

Some blood centers may use their discretion.

Question 6

What is the acceptable range for systolic blood pressure according to the FDA?

Answer 6

90 to 180 mm Hg

This range is part of the physical assessment for blood donors.

Question 7

What is the acceptable range for diastolic blood pressure according to the FDA?

Answer 7

50 to 100 mm Hg

This range is part of the physical assessment for blood donors.

Question 8

What is the maximum body temperature allowed for potential blood donors?

Answer 8

99.5°F or 37.5°C

Donors must have a body temperature of 99.5°F or less to be eligible.

Question 9

What is the acceptable pulse rate range for blood donors as per FDA guidelines?

Answer 9

50 to 100 beats per minute

This pulse rate is a requirement for donor eligibility.

Question 10

What is the upper limit for systolic blood pressure in mm Hg?

Answer 10

180 mm Hg

This limit is set by the FDA for donor eligibility.

Question 11

What is the lower limit for systolic blood pressure in mm Hg?

Answer 11

90 mm Hg

This limit is set by the FDA for donor eligibility.

Question 12

What is the upper limit for diastolic blood pressure in mm Hg?

Answer 12

100 mm Hg

This limit is set by the FDA for donor eligibility.

Question 13

What is the lower limit for diastolic blood pressure in mm Hg?

Answer 13

50 mm Hg

This limit is set by the FDA for donor eligibility.

Question 14

What is the maximum pulse rate allowed for blood donors?

Answer 14

100 bpm

This pulse rate is a requirement for donor eligibility.

Question 15

What is the minimum pulse rate allowed for blood donors?

Answer 15

50 bpm

This pulse rate is a requirement for donor eligibility.

Question 16

True or False: Donors who do not meet the FDA health conditions may still be eligible to donate.

Answer 16

True

They may be evaluated by a physician for eligibility.

Question 17

What is tested before a blood donation to ensure safety?

Answer 17

Hemoglobin and/or hematocrit levels

These tests help detect existing anemia or prevent the onset of symptoms of anemia.

Question 18

What are the acceptable hemoglobin levels for male donors?

Answer 18

13.0 g/dL or higher

This is established by FDA guidelines.

Question 19

What are the acceptable hemoglobin levels for female donors?

Answer 19

12.5 g/dL or higher

This is established by FDA guidelines.

Question 20

What are the acceptable hematocrit levels for male donors?

Answer 20

39% or higher

This is established by FDA guidelines.

Question 21

What are the acceptable hematocrit levels for female donors?

Answer 21

38% or higher

This is established by FDA guidelines.

Question 22

What hemoglobin level range is accepted for female donors under certain conditions?

Answer 22

12.0–12.5 g/dL

The donation center must ensure no adverse health effects will result.

Question 23

What hematocrit level range is accepted for female donors under certain conditions?

Answer 23

36–38%

The donation center must ensure no adverse health effects will result.

Question 24

What is the most common reason for donor deferral?

Answer 24

Low hemoglobin or hematocrit levels

These low levels can indicate anemia.

Question 25

True or False: Blood centers may choose to measure either hemoglobin or hematocrit before donation.

Answer 25

True ## Footnote Some centers may also measure both.

Question 26

What is the purpose of the donor history questionnaire (DHQ)?

Answer 26

To help potential donors and donor centers determine if it is safe for individuals to donate blood and to ensure the safety of collected products for transfusion. ## Footnote The DHQ assesses health and risk factors in potential blood donors.

Question 27

When must the DHQ be completed?

Answer 27

On the same day of the scheduled donation prior to the collection of any blood product.

Question 28

Who can administer the DHQ?

Answer 28

It can be self-administered or administered by a trained professional (donor historian).

Question 29

What must happen if the DHQ is self-administered?

Answer 29

The questionnaire must be reviewed by a donor historian.

Question 30

Where must the interview process be performed if the DHQ is administered by a donor historian?

Answer 30

In an area of the donor center where there is privacy.

Question 31

What is the purpose of assessing the general health of a donor?

Answer 31

To determine if blood donation is appropriate for the safety of the donor and the future recipient.

Question 32

What happens if a donor is deemed not appropriate for donation?

Answer 32

The donor would be deferred from the process.

Question 33

What are the three types of deferrals in blood donation?

Answer 33

* Temporary * Indefinite * Permanent

Question 34

What is a temporary deferral?

Answer 34

A situation where a person has to wait a specified amount of time before being eligible to donate.

Question 35

How long is the wait for a temporary deferral after donating a single unit of blood?

Answer 35

An additional 2 weeks, totaling 8 weeks from the last donation.

Question 36

What defines an indefinite deferral?

Answer 36

Exclusion from donating for an unspecified amount of time.

Question 37

Under what condition might a person with an indefinite deferral become eligible to donate in the future?

Answer 37

If regulatory requirements change and testing methodologies improve.

Question 38

What is a permanent deferral?

Answer 38

When a person is excluded from ever donating again.

Question 39

Can autologous donations be permitted in cases of deferral?

Answer 39

Yes, autologous donations may still be permitted.

Question 40

What is a requirement for potential donors regarding their health?

Answer 40

Potential donors should appear to be in good health and have no obvious symptoms of any illness or influence of drugs or alcohol.

Question 41

What should the venipuncture site be free of?

Answer 41

The venipuncture site should be free of signs of infection, inflammation, or other lesions and puncture marks or scars that may suggest drug abuse.

Question 42

When should donors taking antibiotics be deferred?

Answer 42

Donors taking antibiotics or any other medication for infection should be deferred until the infection has cleared up and the prescribed regimen is completed.

Question 43

Do antibiotics taken for preventative measures disqualify a donor from donation?

Answer 43

No, antibiotics taken for preventative measures do not necessarily disqualify a donor from donation.

Question 44

How long should donors wait after pregnancy before attempting to donate?

Answer 44

Donors who are pregnant should wait until 6 weeks following the end of their pregnancy before attempting to donate.

Question 45

List the types of medications or diseases/situations which may be cause for a potential donor to be deferred, depending on the type of product being donated.

Answer 45

Anti-platelet agents Anticoagulants ("blood thinners") Acne treatment Multiple Myeloma Hair loss regimens Prostate symptoms Immunosuppressants Basal Cell Skin Cancer Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Rheumatoid Arthritis Hepatitis exposure HIV prevention or treatment medications Psoriasis Experimental medications

Question 46

All of the following are cause for deferral from donating blood or blood products except: Please select the single best answer Anticoagulants Acne medications Medications for Psoriasis Topical lotions for dry skin

Answer 46

Topical lotions for dry skin

Question 47

True or False: A person taking an antibiotic for preventative measures may be allowed to donate blood during the course of their antibiotic regimen. Select true or false True False

Answer 47

True Donors taking antibiotics for active infections are deferred to prevent transmission of their infection via donated blood products. Taking an antibiotic for preventative measures does not necessarily indicate an active infection or a transmission risk to blood product recipients. For example, the American Red Cross permits the donation of blood products for those taking preventative antibiotics for the following conditions: acne, chronic prostatitis, peptic ulcer disease, periodontal disease, pre-dental work, rosacea, ulcerative colitis, post-splenectomy, or valvular heart disease.

Question 48

What effect does aspirin have on platelet function?

Answer 48

Aspirin and products containing aspirin hinder platelet function ## Footnote Aspirin blocks platelet production of thromboxane A2, an essential component of platelet aggregation.

Question 49

How long before donation should a donor avoid aspirin or aspirin-containing products?

Answer 49

Donors should avoid aspirin or aspirin-containing products within 2 full days of donation.

Question 50

Can a donor who has taken aspirin still donate whole blood?

Answer 50

Yes, a donor may still donate whole blood if they have taken aspirin within the past 48 hours.

Question 51

What happens to the unit of blood from a donor who has taken aspirin?

Answer 51

Their unit may not be used as a source of platelets.

Question 52

Fill in the blank: Aspirin blocks platelet production of _______.

Answer 52

thromboxane A2

Question 53

True or False: Donors who have taken aspirin can donate platelets if it has been more than 48 hours since ingestion.

Answer 53

True

Question 54

How long must whole blood donors wait between all product donations?

Answer 54

56 days (8 weeks) ## Footnote This is the standard waiting period for whole blood donations.

Question 55

What is the deferral period for persons donating double red units via apheresis before they can donate again?

Answer 55

16 weeks ## Footnote This longer deferral period is due to the nature of double red cell donations.

Question 56

How long must persons donating plasma, platelets, or granulocytes via apheresis wait before donating again?

Answer 56

At least 48 hours ## Footnote This ensures donor safety and recovery time.

Question 57

How many times can plasma apheresis donors donate in a seven-day period?

Answer 57

Twice ## Footnote Donors must ensure a 48-hour interval between the two donations.

Question 58

What is the maximum limit of platelet donations allowed in a 12-month period?

Answer 58

24 platelet donations ## Footnote This limit is set to protect donor health.

Question 59

What is the deferral period for live attenuated, viral or bacterial vaccines such as measles (rubeola), mumps, polio (sabin/oral), typhoid (oral), or yellow fever?

Answer 59

14-day deferral.

Question 60

What is the deferral period for German measles (rubella) and chickenpox/shingles (varicella-zoster) live attenuated, viral or bacterial vaccinations?

Answer 60

4-week deferral.

Question 61

Is there a deferral period for SARS-CoV-2 nonreplicating, inactivated, or mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines?

Answer 61

No deferral/waiting period.

Question 62

What is the deferral period following a smallpox vaccine?

Answer 62

21 days or until the scab has fallen off, whichever is later.

Question 63

What is the deferral period if the smallpox scab did not fall off on its own?

Answer 63

56 days from the vaccination date.

Question 64

Should donors who have been in close contact with smallpox vaccine recipients be deferred?

Answer 64

Yes, they are at risk.

Question 65

What should be done if a donor displays symptoms associated with the smallpox vaccine?

Answer 65

They should be deferred from donation.

Question 66

What is the deferral period for donors who experienced complications from vaccination or exposure?

Answer 66

At least 14 days following symptom resolution.

Question 67

Does the JYNNEOS Smallpox/Monkeypox vaccine for mpox require any deferral?

Answer 67

No, it does not require any deferral.

Question 68

What types of vaccines have no deferral period if the donor is symptom free and afebrile?

Answer 68

Vaccines such as: Anthrax, Cholera (inactivated), Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Lyme disease, Paratyphoid, Pertussis, Plague, Pneumococcal polysaccharide, Polio (Salk/injection), Rabie, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tetanus, Typhoid (by injection) **Receipt of toxoids, or synthetic or killed viral, bacterial, or rickettsial vaccines.

Question 69

What types of vaccines have no deferral period ever?

Answer 69

1. Receipt of recombinant vaccine- HPV, Zoster Recombinant, Adjuvanted (shingrix) vaccine 2. Receipt of intranasal live attenuated flu vaccine 3. Receipt of Vaxchora (live attenuated, nonsystemically absorbed, oral Cholera vaccine)

Question 70

What is the correct deferral period for someone who has received a chickenpox or shingles vaccine today? Please select the single best answer 4 weeks 2 weeks 1 week No deferral

Answer 70

The varicella-zoster vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and has a 4-week deferral period. A 4-week deferral period is recommended for those that have received a live attenuated, viral, and bacterial vaccine such as German measles (rubella) or chicken pox/shingles (varicella-zoster virus). The AABB recommends a 2-week deferral period for those that have received live attenuated, viral, and bacterial vaccines such as measles (rubeola), mumps, polio (Sabin/oral), typhoid (oral), and yellow fever. No deferral period is recommended for recipients of toxoid, synthetic, or killed viral, bacterial, or rickettsial vaccines.

Question 71

The AABB makes several recommendations for donor deferral periods following certain vaccinations. Some vaccines do not have any deferral period, as long as the donor remains asymptomatic and afebrile following vaccination. Which of the following vaccines do not require a deferral period? Please select the single best answer Tetanus Influenza Hepatitis B Lyme Disease All of the above None of the above - the AABB recommends a donation deferral period for each of the above vaccines.

Answer 71

All of the above AABB specifically does not recommend a donor deferral period for toxoid, synthetic, or killed viral, bacterial, or rickettsial vaccines such as anthrax, cholera, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, Lyme disease, paratyphoid, pertussis, plague, pneumococcal polysaccharide, polio (Salk/injection), rabies, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tetanus, or typhoid (by injection). The intranasal live attenuated flu vaccine also has no deferral period

Question 72

Alex arrives at the blood donation center today to donate a unit of whole blood. Alex took an aspirin last night for a headache. Is Alex eligible to donate blood today? Please select the single best answer a. Yes, Alex is eligible to donate whole blood today. b. No, Alex is not eligible for a whole blood donation. Donors must wait 48 hours from their last aspirin dose before donating whole blood. c. No, Alex is not eligible for a whole blood donation. Donors must wait 7 days from their last aspirin dose before donating whole blood. d. No, Alex is not eligible for a whole blood donation, but a plasma donation is acceptable instead.

Answer 72

a. Yes, Alex is eligible to donate whole blood today. There is no deferral period for whole blood donation or plasma donation following aspirin ingestion, but the whole blood unit must not be used for platelets. Donors must wait 48 hours from their last aspirin dose before donating a unit of platelets.

Question 73

True or False: Cameron arrives at the blood donation center and fills out the Donor History Questionnaire with a donor historian. Cameron says that they have been in close contact in the last 8 weeks with someone who received the smallpox vaccine. Cameron denies any symptoms or new skin lesions. Because of the exposure, the donor historian should defer Cameron from donating blood products today. Select true or false True False

Answer 73

FALSE. Cameron denies any new symptoms or skin lesions, despite coming into close contact with a smallpox vaccine recipient. The FDA does not recommend deferral for asymptomatic contacts of smallpox vaccine recipients. Symptomatic contacts of smallpox vaccine recipients should be deferred from donation

Question 74

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) oral medication for the prevention of HIV may delay laboratory detection of the virus in infected individuals and result in false ________ results.

Answer 74

negative

Question 75

Donors who answer "yes" to the Oral HIV Prevention Medication question are deferred for how long? Ex. donor question: In the past 3 months have you taken any medication by mouth (oral) to prevent HIV infection? (i.e. PrEP or PEP)

Answer 75

Deferred for 3 months from the date of their last dose