A nurse is preparing a plan of care for a client who is a Jehovah’s Witness and may require a blood transfusion during surgery.
The nurse recognizes that the traditional beliefs of this faith may
The nurse recognizes that the traditional beliefs of this faith may
A. allow a blood transfusion only from another individual of the same faith.
[3%]
B. allow only blood transfusions that are washed and leukocyte-reduced.
[1%]
C. permit an autologous blood transfusion.
[2%]
D. decline a blood transfusion.
[93%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Fundamentals
Lesson
Cultural, Spiritual, and Religion Concepts
Client Need
Test Plan
Psychosocial Integrity
Related Topic
Cultural Awareness/Cultural Influences
Item Type
Item Type
Application
Explanation
Choice D is correct. Jehovah's Witnesses traditionally refuse blood transfusions based on their religious interpretation of scriptures (e.g., Acts 15:28-29) that prohibit the intake of blood. This includes whole blood and its primary components: red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma. Most adherents will decline blood transfusions even in life-threatening situations. Respecting this belief is a legal and ethical obligation in healthcare.
Choice A is incorrect. Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions regardless of the donor's religious background. Their refusal is not based on the donor's identity but rather on a theological prohibition against receiving blood.
Choice B is incorrect. Washing and leukocyte reduction are methods used to minimize transfusion reactions or immunological complications. Still, they do not change the fact that the blood product contains components Jehovah's Witnesses object to. Therefore, such blood products are still typically refused unless the client accepts the specific fraction individually after informed discussion.
Choice C is incorrect. Jehovah's Witnesses generally do not accept autologous blood removed from the body and stored for later use because they believe blood must remain within the circulatory system. However, some individuals may accept intraoperative blood salvage (cell saver techniques) if the blood is kept in a continuous circuit and not stored. Acceptance varies, so clarifying personal beliefs through informed consent is essential.
Learning Objective
In general, recognize that the members of the Jehovah's Witness faith are forbidden from receiving a transfusion of blood or blood products.
Related Videos
2 Key Topics
Jehovah's Witness
13.6 Religious Considerations
Additional Info
✓ Jehovah's Witnesses believe it is against God's will to receive whole blood or certain blood products; therefore, they will often refuse these transfusions, even if it is their own blood.
✓ The willing acceptance of blood transfusions by Jehovah's Witnesses has in some cases led to expulsion from and ostracization by their religious community.
✓ Given the divergent beliefs about receiving blood amongst followers of the religion, it is imperative that the view of each individual Jehovah's Witness client on this aspect be carefully canvassed by the treating health care provider (HCP).
