Which statement about Type O plasma is true?

Type O plasma is known for its universal donor status due to the absence of A and B antigens on its red blood cells. This characteristic allows Type O plasma to be transfused safely to recipients of any blood type, making it crucial in emergency situations where there might not be time to type and crossmatch blood. This universality is a significant advantage in transfusion medicine and is why Type O plasma is a vital resource in blood banks.

While it is true that Type O plasma contains agglutinins (antibodies against A and B antigens), the high levels of agglutinins in Type O plasma make it less compatible for red blood cell transfusions than for plasma transfusions. In the context of plasma transfusion, Type O plasma does not carry the red cell antigens that would trigger an immune response in recipients with other blood types, thus solidifying its status as a universal donor for plasma.

In transfusion practices, Type O plasma is frequently used due to its compatibility, making it one of the most essential types for blood transfusion protocols. It is not the most commonly transfused plasma type; that role is often filled by specific types based on the clinical need. Furthermore, saying Type O plasma is compatible only with