A nurse on a pediatric unit is preparing to insert an IV catheter for a 7-year-old child who is dehydrated. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale for correct choices:

• Insert a large-bore IV catheter: A large-bore IV (18–20 gauge) is necessary to allow rapid administration of blood products and reduce hemolysis of red blood cells during transfusion. This ensures safe and effective delivery of the blood components.
• Witness the client signing a consent for transfusion: Informed consent is required before initiating a blood transfusion. The nurse ensures that the client understands the purpose, risks, and potential complications, and witnesses the signing to meet legal and ethical standards.
• Have a second nurse confirm the information on the blood lab: Verifying the blood type, crossmatch, and client identifiers with a second nurse reduces the risk of transfusion errors and ensures patient safety before starting the transfusion.

Rationale for incorrect choices:

• Explain to the client that transfusion reactions are not serious: Transfusion reactions can be serious, including hemolytic reactions, febrile reactions, or allergic responses. The nurse should educate the client on the potential risks and signs of a reaction rather than minimizing them.
• Flush the transfusion tubing with dextrose 5% in water: Blood products should only be administered with 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline). Flushing with dextrose or other solutions can cause hemolysis and compromise the safety of the transfusion.

Rationale:

A. "You will need to change the IV dressing site once per week.": Central line dressings for TPN are typically changed every 48–72 hours for gauze or every 5–7 days for transparent dressings, or sooner if the dressing becomes damp, loose, or soiled, to reduce infection risk.

B. "You will need to warm the solution in the microwave before administration.": TPN solutions should never be microwaved due to the risk of uneven heating and nutrient degradation. They should be administered at room temperature.

C. "You will need to weigh the client twice per week.": Clients receiving TPN require daily weights to monitor fluid balance, nutritional status, and detect fluid retention or dehydration promptly. Twice-weekly measurements are insufficient for close monitoring.

D. "You will need to monitor the client's electrolytes daily.": TPN can cause rapid changes in fluid and electrolyte balance, so daily electrolyte monitoring allows timely adjustments to prevent complications such as hypo- or hypernatremia, hypokalemia, and metabolic imbalances.