What is the primary purpose of irradiated blood products?

The primary purpose of irradiated blood products is to prevent transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GvHD). This occurs when donor immune cells in transfused blood recognize the recipient's body tissues as foreign and mount an immune response against them. Irradiation eliminates these donor lymphocytes, which reduces the risk of such an adverse reaction, particularly in immunocompromised patients or those undergoing certain medical treatments that weaken their immune systems.

While other options mention important aspects related to blood products, they do not capture the fundamental role of irradiation. For instance, increasing shelf life and reducing bacterial contamination involve other preservation and handling practices rather than irradiation. Enhancing the healing process post-surgery is more about the overall quality of transfused blood products rather than a specific effect of irradiation. Thus, the focus on preventing TA-GvHD highlights the critical safety measure that irradiation provides in blood transfusion practices.