CHECK YOUR BLOOD I.Q.

The following "true-or-false" statements test what you know about
blood.  The correct answers can be found on the back of this
sheet.

T F  1. Just 1 pint of your blood can help save the lives of
        several people.

T F  2. Giving blood is a simple process.

T F  3. Artificial or animal blood can now be used in place of
        human blood.

T F  4. Filling out the blood donor forms honestly and
        completely is a very important part of the process of
        giving blood.

T F  5. You cannot get AIDS or any other disease by donating
        blood.

T F  6. Most donors are paid money for their blood.

T F  7. It is best to wait until a friend needs blood before
        donating.

T F  8. Some people can donate blood for their own use.

T F  9. The Nation's blood supply is safer than ever before.

T F  10.Giving blood more than once a year will make you weak.

T F  11. The chance of getting AIDS from blood transfusions is
        very low.


        
        
        
        Answers to the Blood "I.Q." Quiz

1. TRUE.  The pint of blood you donate is usually split into
   several parts to meet the needs of different patients.  For
   example, your platelets may give a child with leukemia a
   chance to live, while your red cells may help an accident
   victim get well.  Your single donation can help several
   patients.

2. TRUE.  Giving blood is simple and easy.  You can expect to
   follow four steps:  registration, medical history, donation,
   and snacks.  The actual blood donation takes less than 10
   minutes and is painless except for a little hurt at the very
   start.  The entire process, from when you sign in to the time
   you leave, takes about 45 minutes.

3. FALSE.  There is no substitute for human blood.  Human blood
   can not be manufactured; animal blood can not replace it. 
   People are the only source of blood.  Much of today's medical
   care depends on a steady supply of blood provided by healthy
   donors. The gift of blood is the gift of life.

4. TRUE.  It is very important to complete the blood donor forms
   honestly.  People who should not donate need to identified
   before the blood is taken.  All information given by the
   donor is treated confidentially.

5. TRUE.  There is no risk of getting AIDS or any other disease
   from giving blood.  A brand new needle is used for each blood
   donation.  Once it is used, the needle is destroyed.

6. FALSE.  Volunteers now provide virtually all of the Nation's
   blood supply.  This represents a huge increase in volunteer
   donations over the past 10 years.  People donate blood out of
   a sense of duty and community spirit, not to make money.

7. FALSE.  Many tests must be done before blood can be used. 
   For emergencies, there is no time to collect, test, and
   process the blood from friends.  Having enough blood on hand
   when we need it is possible only if healthy volunteers donate
   blood regularly.

8. TRUE.  For planned surgery, it is often possible to donate
   your own blood ahead of time so that it will be available for
   your operation if needed.  It also may be possible for a
   surgeon to collect blood from a wound during an operation and
   return it to the patient.  Both are forms of autologous
   transfusion.  It is the safest kind of transfusion, but most
   patients needed blood cannot provide their own.  Therefore,
   there remains a great need for healthy people to donate blood
   for others.  For information on whether you can donate blood
   for your own use, ask your doctor.

9. TRUE.  The risk of getting unsafe blood from a transfusion
   has been greatly reduced.  Blood collection centers help to 
   protect the blood supply by constantly improving safety
   measures.  For example , they:

      inform donors about high-risk behaviors and conditions
      that are not safe for blood donation;
      
      allow anyone to indicate confidentially that their blood
      should not be used for the general blood supply;

      take a medical history to check that donors are healthy.

      collect blood using sterile methods under medical
      supervision; and

      test blood for certain diseases.

10.  FALSE.  Giving blood will not decrease your strength.  Your
   body won't miss the 1 pint of blood you donate. Healthy
   donors can give blood as often as every 8 weeks.  If all
   blood donors gave at least twice a year, it would greatly
   strengthen the Nation's blood supply.

11.  TRUE.  The risk of getting AIDS from blood transfusions is
   extremely low.  Necessary blood transfusions can save lives;
   therefore, the benefits are much greater than the risks.  Ask
   your doctor for more  information about blood transfusions.





National Blood Resources Education Program
Coordinated by the Office of Prevention, Education and Control
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Services
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

NIH Publication No. 88-2991
September 1988
.