27th September 2021

A 68-year-old male recently had a blood transfusion following a road traffic accident

A 68-year-old male recently had a blood transfusion following a road traffic accident and major haemorrhage. Within four hours of the transfusion, the patient developed severe breathlessness, a productive cough with frothy pink sputum, fever and rigors. This is identified as a serious hazard of transfusion, and further investigations are carried out to determine what has caused the patient’s reaction. It is most likely to be either TRALI (transfusion-associated lung injury) or TACO (transfusion-associated fluid overload).

Which of the following statements is least accurate regarding these disorders?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option. Select ONE option only.