A nurse is developing a care plan for a client who is in Buck’s traction and is scheduled for surgery for a fractured femur of the right leg.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel?

Dabigatran is a blood thinner that is used to prevent strokes or blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat. Dabigatran is sensitive to moisture and can lose its potency if exposed to humidity or heat. Therefore, it is important to store it in the original bottle or blister package that has a desiccant (drying agent) in the cap or cover. The client should also close the cap tightly after each use and keep the bottle away from excessive moisture, heat, and cold.

Choice A is wrong because storing the medication in the refrigerator can expose it to moisture and cause it to break down.
Choice C is wrong because crushing the medication and mixing it with applesauce can alter its absorption and effectiveness.
Choice D is wrong because the medication can be used up to 60 days after opening the bottle as long as it is stored properly. The normal dose of dabigatran for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation is 150 mg twice a day unless the client has kidney problems or other factors that require a lower dose.

Answer is… Stay with the client for the first 15 min of the transfusion and Document the blood product transfusion in the client’s medical record are indicated nursing actions for the client. Obtain the first unit of packed RBCs from the blood bank is also indicated, but it should be done before starting the transfusion. Titrate the rate of infusion to maintain the client’s blood pressure at least 90/60 mm Hg and Start an IV bolus of lactated Ringer’s solution are not indicated nursing actions for the client.

Explanation:.

• Staying with the client for the first 15 min of the transfusion is indicated because this is when most adverse reactions occur and the nurse should monitor the client’s vital signs and symptoms closely.
• Documenting the blood product transfusion in the client’s medical record is indicated because this is part of the legal and ethical responsibility of the nurse and it provides a record of the type, amount, duration, and outcome of the transfusion.
• Obtaining the first unit of packed RBCs from the blood bank is indicated because this is part of the preparation for the transfusion and it ensures that the blood product is compatible, fresh, and available. However, this should be done before starting the transfusion, not after.
• Titrating the rate of infusion to maintain the client’s blood pressure at least 90/60 mm Hg is not indicated because this may cause fluid overload or hemolysis in the client who already has a low blood pressure and a high heart rate. The rate of infusion should be based on the client’s condition, weight, and response to the transfusion, not on a fixed target.
• Starting an IV bolus of lactated Ringer’s solution is not indicated because this may cause electrolyte imbalance or hemolysis in the client who already has a positive H. pylori test and a history of gastrointestinal bleeding. The only fluid that should be infused with blood products is 0.9% NaCl (normal saline) because it has a similar osmolarity and pH as blood and it prevents clotting or hemolysis.