A nurse is planning care for an older adult client who has dementia and a nutritional deficit.
Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Choice A rationale

An acute hemolytic transfusion reaction is a severe and life-threatening reaction caused by an incompatibility between the donor's blood and the client's blood. The recipient's antibodies attack and destroy the transfused red blood cells, leading to hemolysis. The classic symptoms include chills, fever, low-back pain, tightness in the chest, and headache. This reaction is a medical emergency requiring immediate cessation of the transfusion and supportive care.

Choice B rationale

An allergic reaction to a blood transfusion is typically caused by the recipient's antibodies reacting to a foreign plasma protein in the donor blood. Symptoms can range from mild, such as hives and itching, to severe, such as anaphylaxis. However, symptoms like low-back pain and a feeling of "tightness" in the chest are more characteristic of a hemolytic reaction rather than a simple allergic response.

Choice C rationale

A febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reaction is the most common type of transfusion reaction. It is caused by the recipient's antibodies reacting to donor white blood cells. Symptoms include fever and chills, but typically do not include the severe manifestations of low-back pain, headache, and chest tightness that are seen in a hemolytic reaction. The reaction is usually not life-threatening.

Choice D rationale

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious and potentially fatal complication of a transfusion. It is characterized by the sudden onset of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema within six hours of a transfusion. Symptoms primarily involve respiratory distress, such as dyspnea and hypoxemia. While TRALI is severe, the symptoms presented, particularly the low-back pain and chest tightness, are more indicative of an acute hemolytic reaction. .

Choice A rationale

Reporting the observation to the immediate supervisor is the most appropriate and ethical action. The nurse is a mandated reporter for such events within the healthcare setting. The supervisor, in their administrative role, is responsible for initiating a formal investigation into the matter, ensuring due process, and taking necessary disciplinary action according to institutional policy. This approach protects both the client and the nurse, who is acting on observed evidence, and maintains a chain of command.

Choice B rationale

Confronting the assistive personnel (AP) directly is an inappropriate and potentially unsafe action. This approach could escalate the situation, lead to a hostile confrontation, and create an unsafe work environment. The nurse's role is not to act as a law enforcement officer or to administer disciplinary action. The proper channel for addressing a suspected theft is through the established reporting structure, which involves informing the immediate supervisor. This maintains professional boundaries and ensures a fair and impartial investigation.

Choice C rationale

Telling the client that the assistive personnel (AP) took their watch is premature and unprofessional. The nurse has only observed the AP with a watch, but has not yet confirmed it is the client's. Making such an accusation directly to the client could be slanderous, cause emotional distress, and is not a factual statement. The proper procedure is to report the observation to the supervisor and allow the official investigation to proceed, which will determine the facts before any conclusions are drawn or communicated.

Choice D rationale

Calling security before the assistive personnel (AP) leaves the building is an excessive and premature action. The nurse's role is to report concerns to the immediate supervisor, who will then follow the proper institutional procedures, which may include contacting security if deemed necessary. Bypassing the chain of command and taking unilateral action could create a chaotic and unmanaged situation, potentially infringing on the AP's rights. The supervisor is the designated authority to manage such incidents and coordinate with other departments as needed. *.