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Transfusion Reactions and Management

- A transfusion reaction is an adverse response to a blood transfusion that can range from mild to severe or fatal

- Transfusion reactions can be classified into four categories: immunologic, nonimmunologic, infectious, and delayed

- Immunologic reactions are caused by antigen-antibody reactions between the donor's blood and the recipient's immune system

- Examples of immunologic reactions are:

- Acute hemolytic reaction: occurs when the recipient's antibodies destroy the donor's RBCs; symptoms include fever, chills, back pain, chest pain, dyspnea, hypotension, tachycardia, hemoglobinuria, jaundice, and renal failure; treatment involves stopping the transfusion, maintaining IV access with normal saline, monitoring vital signs and urine output, administering oxygen and fluids as ordered, collecting blood and urine samples for testing, and reporting to the provider and blood bank

- Febrile nonhemolytic reaction: occurs when the recipient's antibodies react with the donor's leukocytes; symptoms include fever, chills, headache, flushing, and anxiety; treatment involves stopping or slowing down the transfusion, administering antipyretics as ordered, monitoring vital signs and symptoms, collecting blood samples for testing, and reporting to the provider and blood bank

- Allergic reaction: occurs when the recipient's antibodies react with plasma proteins in the donor's blood; symptoms include urticaria (hives), pruritus (itching), rash, angioedema (swelling), bronchospasm (wheezing), anaphylaxis (shock); treatment involves stopping or slowing down the transfusion, administering antihistamines or corticosteroids as ordered, monitoring vital signs and symptoms, administering epinephrine and oxygen as ordered for severe reactions, collecting blood samples for testing, and reporting to the lab.

- The management of transfusion reactions depends on the type and severity of the reaction. - The general steps are:

    • Stop the transfusion immediately and disconnect the tubing from the catheter.
    • Maintain IV access with normal saline using new tubing and a new bag.
    • Notify the provider and the blood bank.
    • Monitor vital signs, urine output, and hemodynamic status.
    • Administer oxygen, antihistamines, corticosteroids, vasopressors, fluids, or epinephrine as ordered.
    • Collect blood samples from the recipient and send them to the lab for typing and crossmatching, direct antiglobulin test (DAT), and hemolysis studies.
    • Collect urine samples from the recipient and send them to the lab for hemoglobinuria testing.
    • Return the blood bag and tubing to the blood bank for culture and analysis.
    • Document the incident and report it to the appropriate authorities.

Questions on Transfusion Reactions and Management

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Incorrect: Administering a rapid bolus of normal saline is unnecessary and could lead to fluid overload in the client. The nurse should administer normal saline or another appropriate IV fluid at the prescribed rate if the client requires hydration before or after the transfusion, but not as a priming method.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

No explanation

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Incorrect: While administering an antihistamine may be part of the treatment plan for an allergic reaction, it is not the immediate action. The nurse should first discontinue the transfusion and infuse normal saline as stated in option C.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Incorrect: Platelets are used to treat thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction but do not provide the main benefit of minimizing the risk of future transfusion reactions as PRBCs do.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Incorrect: Stopping the blood transfusion is essential, but it is not the immediate action in this situation. The nurse's priority is to address the client's respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation by administering oxygen, as stated in option B. Once the client is stable, the nurse should then notify the healthcare provider about the situation.Questions

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

No explanation

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]

Explanation

Assessing the client's blood pressure and heart rate is an important part of the overall assessment before the blood transfusion.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Placing the client in a supine position with legs elevated is not a priority action when a transfusion reaction is suspected. The priority is to stop the transfusion and assess the client's vital signs and symptoms.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Warming the platelets to room temperature before infusion is essential to prevent hypothermia in the client. Cold platelets can cause vasoconstriction and discomfort upon infusion.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Discontinuing the blood transfusion and removing the IV catheter is important, but the immediate action to address the client's respiratory distress is to raise the head of the bed and administer oxygen. Stopping the transfusion can follow after the client's respiratory status stabilizes.Questions

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Incorrect: Albumin is a protein used to expand intravascular volume, especially in cases of hypoalbuminemia, but it does not have a significant role in clot formation or controlling bleeding.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Incorrect: Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs) are used to treat anemia and improve oxygenation but do not address clotting factor deficiencies.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Incorrect: Albumin is used for volume expansion in cases of hypoalbuminemia and fluid resuscitation in certain situations, but PRBCs are more effective for rapid volume replacement.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct: Albumin is the blood product of choice for addressing severe hypoalbuminemia. It is a protein that helps maintain oncotic pressure and regulates fluid balance within the blood vessels.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Incorrect: Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs) are used to improve oxygenation in anemic clients and are not the primary treatment for clotting factor deficiencies related to liver disease.Questions

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct: An elevated temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) may indicate a fever, which could be a sign of an infection or an adverse reaction to the transfusion. The nurse should report this vital sign alteration to the healthcare provider before proceeding with the transfusion to determine the appropriate course of action.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Incorrect: Filtering the blood product through a standard IV filter is not sufficient to remove any clots present in the blood product. Using a blood product that appears abnormal could lead to adverse reactions in the client, so it is essential to obtain a replacement from the blood bank.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Incorrect: Hypertension is not a contraindication for a blood transfusion. While the nurse should monitor blood pressure during the transfusion, hypertension alone does not preclude the need for a transfusion in a client with other indications for blood products.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

No explanation

Incorrect: Plasma is not directly involved in the crossmatching process. The focus is on ensuring compatibility between red blood cells and the recipient's plasma.

Incorrect: The client with blood type B-positive (B+) can receive blood from donors with A-positive (A+), O-negative (O-), and O-positive (O+). However, B-positive (B+) blood is not compatible with the client's A-positive (A+) blood type.

Incorrect: Mixing the incompatible blood with normal saline will not resolve the incompatibility issue and is not a safe practice. The nurse should not proceed with the transfusion and should return the blood to the blood bank.

Correct: O-positive (O+) blood type can safely receive blood from the client with blood type O-negative (O-) because O-negative (O-) is the universal blood donor for Rh-negative individuals.

Incorrect: AB-positive (AB+) blood type cannot donate to AB-positive (AB+) individuals due to ABO incompatibility.Questions

Incorrect: Infusing normal saline to maintain hydration is important, but it is not the first action the nurse should take when a transfusion reaction is suspected. The nurse should first stop the transfusion and notify the healthcare provider.

Incorrect: Administering diuretics is not the priority intervention for TRALI. TRALI is caused by a reaction to plasma components, not fluid overload, and diuretics may not address the underlying cause.

Incorrect: Administering epinephrine is not the appropriate intervention for an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. Epinephrine is used to treat anaphylactic reactions, not hemolytic reactions.

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.Questions

Incorrect: Continuing the transfusion at a slower rate is not appropriate when the client is experiencing severe symptoms. The nurse should first stop the transfusion and then notify the healthcare provider.

Incorrect: An increase in hemoglobin level by 2 g/dL after the transfusion is a positive outcome, indicating a successful transfusion. There is no need to report this finding to the healthcare provider.

Incorrect: Generalized muscle weakness may occur for various reasons and may not be directly related to a delayed transfusion reaction. The nurse should prioritize reporting the slightly elevated temperature.

Incorrect: Placing the client in a supine position with legs elevated is not indicated for an allergic transfusion reaction. It may be used for clients in shock, but the priority is to manage the allergic reaction.

Incorrect: Notifying the healthcare provider for further evaluation is important, but it may not be the first intervention. The nurse should first take immediate actions to address the client's symptoms of orthostatic hypotension.Questions

Incorrect: Assessing the client's vital signs and baseline laboratory values is essential, but it is not the priority action for preventing a potential complication related to blood compatibility. The nurse should first confirm the client's blood type and Rh factor.

Incorrect: Lower back pain is not typically associated with allergic transfusion reactions. The nurse should provide information about symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction, such as itching, rash, and facial swelling.

Incorrect: Monitoring the client's vital signs during the transfusion is a standard practice, but it is not the primary intervention for preventing allergic transfusion reactions. Pre-medication with antihistamines is a more targeted approach.

Incorrect: Restarting the transfusion with a different blood product is not indicated in the presence of suspected TRALI. The nurse's priority is to manage the client's respiratory distress and discontinue the transfusion if necessary.

<p>Correct: Obtaining a sample for repeat crossmatching is essential to identify and select blood products that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction in the client. This step can help prevent future allergic transfusion reactions and ensure safer blood product selection.</p>
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