A nurse is caring for a client with severe hypoalbuminemia. Which blood product should the nurse anticipate being prescribed to address the client's condition?

A) Raising the head of the client's bed and administering oxygen is the immediate action to improve oxygenation and relieve respiratory distress in a client experiencing potential pulmonary edema, as evidenced by the pink, frothy sputum.

B) Obtaining a sputum sample for culture and sensitivity testing may be important to assess for infection, but it is not the nurse's immediate action in response to a severe transfusion reaction.

C) Administering a diuretic may help with pulmonary congestion, but it is not the nurse's immediate action in response to a severe transfusion reaction. The priority is to improve oxygenation.

D) Discontinuing the blood transfusion and removing the IV catheter is important, but the immediate action to address the client's respiratory distress is to raise the head of the bed and administer oxygen. Stopping the transfusion can follow after the client's respiratory status stabilizes.

Questions

A) Incorrect: Administering epinephrine is not the appropriate intervention for an allergic transfusion reaction characterized by urticaria and itching. Epinephrine is used to treat anaphylactic reactions.

B) Incorrect: Stopping the transfusion and disconnecting the IV tubing is appropriate in the event of an allergic transfusion reaction, but it should not be the first action. The nurse should first slow down or stop the transfusion if mild symptoms are present and notify the healthcare provider for further instructions.

C) Correct: Slowing down the transfusion rate may be appropriate for mild allergic reactions to reduce symptoms. However, if the reaction worsens, the nurse should stop the transfusion immediately.

D) Incorrect: Obtaining a blood sample for repeat crossmatching is not indicated in an allergic transfusion reaction. Allergic reactions are related to hypersensitivity to plasma proteins and do not involve compatibility issues between red blood cells and plasma.

Questions