A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who just started receiving a blood transfusion 5 min ago. Which of the following findings should be reported first to the provider?

A. Headache: Headache can occur during a transfusion reaction but is usually a less urgent symptom. It should be monitored but is not the highest priority.

B. Urticaria: Urticaria (hives) often indicates a mild allergic reaction to the transfusion. It requires intervention but is generally not immediately life-threatening.

C. Dyspnea: Dyspnea signals possible respiratory distress, which may indicate a severe transfusion reaction such as anaphylaxis or transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). This requires immediate attention and reporting to prevent respiratory failure.

D. Hyperthermia: A fever during transfusion suggests a febrile non-hemolytic reaction or infection risk, which is important but typically not as urgent as respiratory distress.

A. The client is sedentary throughout most of the day: While physical inactivity can lead to health issues such as muscle weakness and cardiovascular problems, it is not immediately life-threatening and can be addressed through lifestyle interventions.

B. The client verbalizes regret about never marrying: This reflects emotional distress or social isolation, which is important, but it does not pose an urgent physical health risk requiring immediate attention.

C. The client has no living family: Although lacking family support can affect long-term care planning and emotional well-being, it is not the most immediate threat to the client’s health in this context.

D. The client has poorly fitting dentures: This is the priority because it directly affects the client’s ability to eat, leading to potential malnutrition, weight loss, and decline in overall health—issues particularly dangerous for older adults.