A nurse is caring for a client who requires airborne precautions. The nurse is preparing to leave the client's room following a dressing change. Which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment should the nurse remove first?

A. Check that the client has a small gauge IV catheter in place.

Blood transfusions require a large-bore IV catheter (18-20 gauge) to prevent hemolysis and ensure efficient infusion. A small gauge IV (such as 22-24G) is not appropriate for PRBCs as it can slow the infusion and damage red blood cells.

B. Check the blood product's compatibility with the client's blood type: Before administering packed red blood cells (PRBCs), the nurse must verify blood compatibility to prevent a hemolytic transfusion reaction, which can be life-threatening.

C. Prime the client's primary IV tubing with lactated Ringer’s.

Only normal saline (0.9% NaCl) should be used to prime the IV tubing for a blood transfusion. Lactated Ringer’s and dextrose solutions can cause hemolysis and clotting of the blood product.

D. Confirm the identity of the client with the blood bank technician.While verifying the blood product is critical, the nurse should confirm the client’s identity at the bedside with another licensed nurse, not the blood bank technician. This ensures that the right blood is given to the right client following facility protocols.

A. Case manager:

The nurse manager, in this context, is not functioning as a case manager. Case management typically involves coordinating and managing the overall care plan for a client over time, including coordination of resources and services.

B. Client care provider:

The nurse manager, in this scenario, is functioning as a client care provider. By observing the newly licensed nurse perform a straight catheterization, the nurse manager is directly involved in overseeing and ensuring the safety of the client care being provided.

C. Client advocate:

While advocacy for the client is a crucial role for all nurses, the specific action described (observing the procedure) is more aligned with the role of a client care provider. Advocacy involves supporting and safeguarding the client's rights and well-being, which can be done in various nursing roles.

D. Client educator:

The nurse manager is not functioning as a client educator in this specific situation. Client education involves providing information and instruction to the client to promote their understanding and participation in their care. The nurse manager's role here is more focused on direct observation and supervision of a clinical skill.