During transportation of blood, what temperature range must be maintained according to guidelines?

• A. 1 C to 10 C
• B. 0 C to 4 C
• C. -20 C to -10 C
• D. 4 C to 8 C

Answer: (B)

Maintaining a cold chain during blood transport is essential to preserve red cell quality. Red blood cells are kept refrigerated to slow their metabolism and limit bacterial growth, so the transport temperature is kept within a cool, non-freezing range. The 0 to 4 degrees Celsius window is within the typical refrigerated range used for transporting blood, ensuring the cells stay viable without risking freezing damage. temperatures higher that 4°C, up to 8°C, can still be acceptable in some contexts but are less consistently aligned with standard guidelines and may shorten shelf life or affect quality. Warmer ranges like 1–10°C are not ideal because they can allow more metabolic activity and growth, while freezing ranges (-20 to -10°C) damage red cells. So, 0–4°C best matches the guideline for safe transport.