Blood Administration

A patient with type A negative blood is scheduled to receive a transfusion. Which blood type is compatible for this patient?

• Type A positive

• Type B negative

• Type AB positive

• Type O negative

The nurse is educating a patient who is about to receive a blood transfusion. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

• We will monitor your vital signs before, during, and after the transfusion.

• Call me immediately if you feel chills or start to itch.

• If you feel back pain, notify me right away.

• The transfusion should be completed within 6 hours of starting.

A nurse is preparing to administer a unit of packed red blood cells to a patient with anemia. Which of the following actions is the priority before starting the transfusion?

• Obtain and record the patient's baseline vital signs.

• Ensure the IV site is at least a 20-gauge or larger.

• Confirm the patient's identity and blood product information with another licensed nurse.

• Educate the patient about the signs of a transfusion reaction.

A patient begins to complain of chest pain, dyspnea, and frothy sputum during a blood transfusion. The nurse suspects which of the following complications?

• Febrile Non-Hemolytic Reaction

• Allergic Reaction

• Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)

• Delayed Hemolytic Reaction

The nurse is monitoring a patient during a blood transfusion. Which of the following findings should prompt the nurse to stop the transfusion immediately?

• Patient reports feeling cold.

• Mild erythema at the IV insertion site.

• New onset of hypotension and flank pain.

• Temperature increases by 0.5°C (1°F).

An elderly male patient is receiving a unit of packed red blood cells to treat postoperative anemia following hip surgery. About thirty minutes into the transfusion, the patient suddenly reports feeling extremely cold, nauseated, and "very unwell." The nurse assesses the patient and finds that his temperature has spiked to 103°F (39.4°C). The patient is shivering uncontrollably, with noticeable rigors, and his blood pressure has dropped to 82/50 mmHg. His heart rate is elevated at 120 beats per minute, and his skin feels clammy. The nurse immediately stops the transfusion and maintains the IV line with normal saline. The healthcare provider is promptly notified.

• Send the remaining blood product and tubing to the lab for culture.

• Restart the transfusion once the fever subsides.

• Obtain blood cultures from the patient as ordered.

• Administer antipyretics as prescribed.

• Prepare to administer broad-spectrum IV antibiotics as prescribed.