A client with a history of transfusion reactions requires a blood transfusion. Which blood component should the nurse ensure is transfused to minimize the risk of a future reaction?

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.

A) Raising the head of the client's bed and administering oxygen is the immediate action to improve oxygenation and relieve respiratory distress in a client experiencing potential pulmonary edema, as evidenced by the pink, frothy sputum.

B) Obtaining a sputum sample for culture and sensitivity testing may be important to assess for infection, but it is not the nurse's immediate action in response to a severe transfusion reaction.

C) Administering a diuretic may help with pulmonary congestion, but it is not the nurse's immediate action in response to a severe transfusion reaction. The priority is to improve oxygenation.

D) 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.

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