What should be done if a discrepancy arises in a patient’s blood type results on consecutive days?

When discrepancies arise in a patient’s blood type results on consecutive days, repeating the blood type testing with a fresh sample is the appropriate course of action. This approach ensures the accuracy of the blood typing results by eliminating any potential issues with the previous samples, such as hemolysis, contamination, or other errors that may have influenced the initial findings.

Blood type testing is critical for safe transfusions, as incorrect blood type can lead to severe transfusion reactions. Therefore, obtaining a new sample allows for further verification and helps ensure that the results are reliable before proceeding with any medical decisions based on those results.

The other options may lead to unsafe or ineffective practices. Simply assuming the initial results are accurate could lead to serious patient safety risks. Using the first sample for transfusion without clearing up the discrepancy neglects the potential for error, and documenting without action would not resolve the inconsistency and could endanger patient safety. Thus, repeating the blood type testing with a fresh sample is a standard and prudent procedure to maintain the highest level of care and safety.