A nurse is preparing to initiate a blood transfusion for a client. Which action should the nurse take first to ensure client safety?
Verify the client's identity and blood type with two unique identifiers.
Confirm the expiration date of the blood product.
Assess the client's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, and blood pressure.
Obtain informed consent from the client for the blood transfusion.
The Correct Answer is A
A) Correct: The nurse should verify the client's identity and blood type with two unique identifiers, such as asking the client to state their full name and date of birth and comparing it to their identification band. This step ensures that the correct blood product is administered to the right client, promoting safety.
B) Incorrect: Confirming the expiration date of the blood product is important but not the first step in ensuring client safety during a blood transfusion. The nurse should first verify the client's identity and blood type.
C) Incorrect: Assessing the client's vital signs is essential, but it is not the first action to be taken. Verifying the client's identity and blood type is the priority before starting the transfusion.
D) Incorrect: Obtaining informed consent from the client is crucial but not the first action to be taken. The nurse should first verify the client's identity and blood type before seeking consent for the transfusion.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A: Notifying the healthcare provider is an important step, but it is not the immediate priority. The nurse's first action should be to address the adverse reaction to prevent further harm to the client.
B: While administering antipyretics may help lower the client's fever, it does not address the underlying cause of the symptoms, which is the transfusion reaction. The priority is to stop the reaction from progressing.
C: Preparing to administer a diuretic would be appropriate if fluid overload was the primary concern. However, in the case of a transfusion reaction, the priority is to stop the transfusion to halt the reaction.
D: Discontinuing the blood transfusion immediately is the priority action because it stops the exposure to the blood product that is causing the reaction. Once the transfusion is stopped, further interventions can be assessed and implemented.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
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.
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