What does a type and cross match test determine?

A type and cross match test primarily determines the compatibility of a client’s blood with donor blood. This is a crucial procedure conducted before a blood transfusion, ensuring that the recipient’s blood type is compatible with the donor's blood type. The process involves first identifying the blood type of the patient and then mixing a sample of their blood with a sample from the donor to observe for any agglutination or reaction.

If the blood is not compatible, it can lead to serious transfusion reactions, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, the matching of antigens and antibodies is critical to prevent adverse reactions in the recipient. This ensures safety and efficacy in administering blood transfusions.

Other options, while related to blood testing, do not accurately define the purpose of a type and cross match. For example, determining the blood type of the patient is part of the procedure but not the primary focus. Assessing whether the blood is expired and checking for the presence of infections in the blood are also important aspects of blood safety, but they fall under different tests and processes, not specifically within a type and cross match test.