How do coombs tests help in blood bank practices?

Coombs tests are vital in blood bank practices primarily because they identify the presence of antibodies in a patient’s serum that may react with red blood cells. This is essential for various reasons, especially in the context of blood transfusions and hemolytic diseases.

When a Coombs test is performed, it helps determine if the patient has antibodies against specific red cell antigens. It can be used in two forms: the direct Coombs test, which checks for antibodies that are bound to the surface of red cells, and the indirect Coombs test, which looks for antibodies present in the serum against red blood cell antigens. The identification of these antibodies assists in compatible blood transfusion strategies and monitoring conditions such as hemolytic anemia, thus ensuring patient safety and effective treatment.

The other options, while related to blood banking, do not utilize Coombs tests for their respective purposes. For example, antigen typing is more about identifying specific antigens on red blood cells, measuring hemoglobin levels is an assessment of the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood, and evaluating platelet function deals with aspects of hemostasis rather than immunohemolysis.