A client expresses anxiety and fear about receiving a blood transfusion. What action should the nurse take to address the client's concerns?

A) Correct: Pre-medicating the client with antihistamines before the transfusion can help prevent or minimize allergic transfusion reactions in clients with a history of severe allergies. Antihistamines block histamine release, reducing the risk of allergic symptoms.

B) Incorrect: Administering the blood transfusion rapidly is not a preventive measure for allergic transfusion reactions. In fact, rapid administration may increase the risk of adverse reactions.

C) Incorrect: Warming the blood product before administration is important to prevent hypothermia but is not directly related to preventing allergic transfusion reactions.

D) 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.

A) Incorrect: Fever and chills during a blood transfusion may be signs of a febrile transfusion reaction, not an allergic reaction. The nurse should provide information specific to preventing allergic reactions.

B) Correct: Itching, rash, and facial swelling are common signs of an allergic transfusion reaction. The nurse should instruct the client to notify the healthcare provider immediately if they experience these symptoms.

C) Incorrect: A brief period of increased heart rate after the transfusion may be normal, but it is not specific to preventing an allergic transfusion reaction. The nurse should focus on providing information about allergic reaction symptoms.

D) 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.