A client is receiving a blood transfusion, and the nurse suspects a transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) due to sudden respiratory distress. What action should the nurse take to prevent further complications?

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: 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.