A nurse is caring for a patient immediately following a cardiac catheterization with a femoral artery approach. Which action should the nurse take?

Rationale for Choice A: Obtain vital signs

While obtaining vital signs is important in assessing a patient's overall condition, it is not the first priority in a suspected transfusion reaction.

Vital signs can provide valuable information about the severity of the reaction, but they should not delay the immediate action of stopping the transfusion.

Delaying the cessation of the transfusion could allow for further infusion of incompatible blood or allergens, potentially worsening the reaction and leading to more serious complications.

Rationale for Choice B: Notify the registered nurse

Involving other healthcare professionals is crucial in managing transfusion reactions, but it should not precede stopping the transfusion.

The nurse should prioritize stopping the transfusion to prevent further exposure to potential triggers and then promptly notify the registered nurse for further assessment and interventions.

Timely communication with the registered nurse is essential for coordinating care and ensuring appropriate treatment measures are implemented.

Rationale for Choice C: Administer diphenhydramine

Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, can be used to treat allergic reactions, but it should not be administered as the first response in this scenario.

The priority is to halt the infusion of the blood product that is potentially causing the reaction.

Administering diphenhydramine before stopping the transfusion could mask the symptoms of the reaction, making it more difficult to assess its severity and progression.

Rationale for Choice D: Stop the transfusion

This is the correct and most immediate action to take when a patient develops itching and hives during a blood transfusion.

These symptoms are indicative of a possible allergic or transfusion reaction, and stopping the transfusion is essential to prevent further complications.

It's critical to act quickly to minimize the amount of incompatible blood or allergens that enter the patient's circulation.

By stopping the transfusion, the nurse can potentially prevent the reaction from worsening and safeguard the patient's well- being.

Rationale for Choice A:

Diuretics promote fluid loss, increasing the risk of fluid volume deficit.

Heart failure can lead to fluid retention, but diuretic therapy is often used to manage this excess fluid.

However, in this case, the patient is receiving diuretic therapy, which suggests that their fluid status is being actively managed.

Therefore, while this patient is at risk for fluid volume deficit, they are not the most likely candidate among the options presented.

Rationale for Choice B:

Gastroenteritis can lead to fluid loss through vomiting and diarrhea.

However, this patient is receiving oral fluids, which helps to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes.

As long as the patient is able to tolerate oral fluids and is not experiencing excessive fluid losses, they are not at significant risk for fluid volume deficit.

Rationale for Choice C:

End-stage kidney disease can impair the kidneys' ability to regulate fluid balance.

However, dialysis is a treatment that helps to remove excess fluid and waste products from the body.

Therefore, while this patient is at risk for fluid volume imbalances, they are receiving treatment to manage this risk.

Rationale for Choice D:

NPO status means that the patient has been instructed to have nothing by mouth. This means that the patient has not been able to consume any fluids since midnight.

Even in the absence of excessive fluid losses, this prolonged period of fluid restriction can lead to dehydration and fluid volume deficit.

Therefore, this patient is the most likely to be experiencing fluid volume deficit among the options presented.