A client has a history of severe allergic reactions and is scheduled to receive a blood transfusion. What intervention should the nurse implement to prevent an allergic transfusion reaction in this client?

A) Incorrect: Elevating the head of the bed may help promote lung expansion, but it is not the nurse's priority action when the client is experiencing severe symptoms like dyspnea, tachycardia, and chest pain during a transfusion.

B) Incorrect: Administering diuretics is not the appropriate action for the client's symptoms, which suggest a possible transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) or acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. Diuretics will not address the underlying cause.

C) Correct: The client's symptoms of dyspnea, tachycardia, and chest pain indicate a potential severe transfusion reaction. The nurse's priority action is to stop the transfusion immediately and notify the healthcare provider for further evaluation and intervention.

D) 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.

A) Correct: Red blood cells are the main blood component involved in the crossmatching process. Crossmatching ensures compatibility between the donor's red blood cells and the recipient's plasma, preventing adverse reactions during the transfusion.

B) Incorrect: White blood cells are not part of the crossmatching process. They play a role in the immune response but are not specifically assessed during crossmatching.

C) Incorrect: Platelets are not directly involved in the crossmatching process. Crossmatching primarily focuses on red blood cell compatibility.

D) 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.