whole blood

blood (blud) the fluid circulating through the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins, carrying nutriment and oxygen to body cells, and removing waste products and carbon dioxide. It consists of the liquid portion (the plasma) and the formed elements (erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets).

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arterial blood  oxygenated blood, found in the pulmonary veins, the left chambers of the heart, and the systemic arteries.

citrated blood  blood treated with sodium citrate or citric acid to prevent its coagulation.

cord blood  that contained in umbilical vessels at time of delivery of the infant.

occult blood  that present in such small quantities that it is detectible only by chemical tests or by spectroscopic or microscopic examination.

predonated autologous blood  blood donated prior to surgery or other invasive procedure for use in a possible autotransfusion.

venous blood  blood that has given up its oxygen to the tissues and is carrying carbon dioxide back through the systemic veins for gas exchange in the lungs.

whole blood  that from which none of the elements has been removed, sometimes specifically that drawn from a selected donor under aseptic conditions, containing citrate ion or heparin, and used as a blood replenisher.

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whole blood

n.

Blood from which no constituent such as plasma or platelets has been removed.

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Whole blood

Blood that contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in plasma.

Mentioned in: Wounds

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whole blood

[hōl]

Etymology: AS, hal + blod

blood that is unmodified except for the presence of an anticoagulant. Whole blood may be used for transfusion. Various components and factors may be separated from whole blood for infusion to replace or to augment a deficient or nonfunctional component or factor.

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whole blood

blood as it comes from the artery or, more commonly, the vein, but usually assumed to be combined with an anticoagulant. Contains the cellular and plasma components of blood.

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whole blood

Transfusion medicine Blood containing all the components–RBCs, WBCs, platelets, plasma proteins and fluid–of blood. See Packed red cells.

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Patient discussion about whole blood.

Q. Can blood cancer be transmitted? If I, let’s just say, cut my self. Then someone’s blood came in contact of my wound. Can I get blood cancer too? Is it like AIDS?

A. First off all you mean Leukemia (the proper name for “blood cancer”), and as far as I know- no, you can’t. my son had Leukemia and I read a lot of information about it and never saw any warning about infectiousness of Leukemia.

Q. How can I prevent blood clots? I am 45 years old and am supposed to go on a business trip overseas. The flight itself is 12 hours long and then I have to continue traveling by bus. Could this cause me to have blood clots? If so, how can I prevent it?

A. Sitting or laying in one position for a long period of time can increase the risk of developing DVT- deep vein thrombosis. Here are some methods to prevent it:
Exercise your calf and foot muscles regularly:
Every half hour or so, bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes when you are seated.
Press the balls of your feet down hard against the floor or foot-rest every so often. This helps to increase the blood flow in your legs
Take a walk up and down the aisle every hour or so, when the aircraft crew say it is safe to do so.
If you are allowed, get off the plane and walk about if the plane stops for refueling.
Consider buying a leg exerciser for the journey.
Drink plenty of water (to avoid dehydration).
Do not drink too much alcohol. (Alcohol can cause dehydration and immobility.)
Do not take sleeping tablets, which cause immobility.
Consider wearing compression stockings.
Some people at high risk may also be advised to take anticoagulant medication by their Dr.

Q. Why do alcoholics spew blood? I saw someone vomiting blood and my brother said it is because he’s an alcoholic but couldn’t explain why…

A. Alcohol affects many different things in the body. This sounds very serious and he probably needs immediate medical attention. When your body is trying to process something that is harming it at the same time, many things are going on and being destroyed.