A client received a blood transfusion 4 hours ago and now reports feeling lightheaded and dizzy. The nurse notes a drop in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. What intervention should the nurse implement first?
Administer a bolus of normal saline.
Elevate the client's feet and lower the head.
Check the client's hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
Notify the healthcare provider for further evaluation.
The Correct Answer is B
A) Incorrect: Administering a bolus of normal saline may help increase intravascular volume, but it is not the first intervention to be implemented. The nurse should first identify the cause of the client's symptoms and take appropriate actions.
B) Correct: The client's symptoms of feeling lightheaded and dizzy, along with a drop in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate, suggest orthostatic hypotension. The nurse's first intervention should be to elevate the client's feet and lower the head to improve blood flow to the brain.
C) Incorrect: Checking the client's hemoglobin and hematocrit levels is essential but may not be the first intervention in this situation. The client's symptoms indicate an immediate need to address the orthostatic hypotension.
D) Incorrect: Notifying the healthcare provider for further evaluation is important, but it may not be the first intervention. The nurse should first take immediate actions to address the client's symptoms of orthostatic hypotension.
Questions
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Incorrect: Transfusing whole blood increases the risk of adverse reactions and is not commonly used in modern transfusion practices. Whole blood is usually separated into its individual components for transfusion.
B) Incorrect: Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) contains various clotting factors and is used primarily to treat bleeding disorders and coagulopathies, not to prevent transfusion reactions.
C) Correct: Packed red blood cells (PRBCs) contain primarily red blood cells without significant amounts of plasma, white blood cells, or platelets. For clients with a history of transfusion reactions, PRBCs are the most suitable blood component to minimize the risk of future reactions.
D) Incorrect: Platelets are used to treat thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction but do not provide the main benefit of minimizing the risk of future transfusion reactions as PRBCs do.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Incorrect: Obtaining a signed informed consent is an essential step before administering a blood transfusion, but it is not the priority action for preventing a potential complication related to blood compatibility. The nurse should first confirm the client's blood type and Rh factor.
B) Correct: The nurse's priority action is to confirm the client's blood type and Rh factor with two unique identifiers to ensure compatibility between the client and the blood product. This step is crucial for preventing transfusion reactions due to ABO and Rh incompatibility.
C) Incorrect: Ensuring that the blood product is properly labeled and has not expired is important for patient safety but is not the priority action before administering a blood transfusion. The nurse should first confirm the client's blood type and Rh factor.
D) Incorrect: Assessing the client's vital signs and baseline laboratory values is essential, but it is not the priority action for preventing a potential complication related to blood compatibility. The nurse should first confirm the client's blood type and Rh factor.
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