A nurse in an emergency department is preparing a client for emergency surgery. The client's blood alcohol level is 180 mg/dL. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

Choice A Reason:

Administering the unit of packed RBCs over 1 hour is not appropriate. Packed RBCs are usually administered over a longer period of time (typically 2 to 4 hours), as rapid infusion can lead to adverse reactions. The rate of administration should be based on institutional policy.

Choice B Reason:

Initiating venous access with a 21-gauge needle is not appropriate-. The needle size for venous access can vary based on the client's condition and the size of their veins. However, a larger gauge needle (e.g., 18-gauge or 20-gauge) is typically used for blood transfusions to ensure adequate flow.

Choice C Reason:

Blood products should be infused through administration sets designed specifcally for blood; use a Y-tubing or straight-tubing blood administration set that contains a filter designed to trap fibrin clots and other debris that accumulate during blood storage.

Choice D Reason:

The nurse should measure vital signs and assess lung sounds before the transfusion and again after the first 15 minutes and every 30 minutes to 1 hour (per agency policy) until 1 hour after the transfusion is completed.

Choice A Reason:

NG tube with suction apparatus should not be recommended. NG tubes and suction are not routine equipment for managing cystic fibrosis. They might be used for other medical conditions, such as digestive issues or nutritional support.

Choice B Reason:

Chest tube with a drainage system should not be recommended -. Chest tubes and drainage systems are used to manage conditions like pneumothorax or pleural effusion, which are not directly related to cystic fibrosis.

Choice C Reason:

A chest physiotherapy (CPT) vest, also known as a high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) vest, is commonly used by clients with cystic fibrosis to help clear mucus from the lungs. The vest vibrates at high frequency, loosening the mucus and making it easier for the client to cough it up, thus helping to manage respiratory symptoms and reduce the risk of infections.

Choice D Reason:

A peak flow meter is typically used for clients with asthma to measure the maximum speed of exhalation, which helps in assessing asthma control. While it can be useful for monitoring lung function, it is not specific to cystic fibrosis, where the primary concern is airway clearance rather than peak flow measurement.