A client with severe liver disease has a decreased ability to synthesize clotting factors. Which blood product should the nurse anticipate being prescribed to manage the client's condition?

A) Incorrect: Transfusing whole blood increases the risk of adverse reactions and is not commonly used in modern transfusion practices. Whole blood is usually separated into its individual components for transfusion.

B) Incorrect: Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) contains various clotting factors and is used primarily to treat bleeding disorders and coagulopathies, not to prevent transfusion reactions.

C) Correct: Packed red blood cells (PRBCs) contain primarily red blood cells without significant amounts of plasma, white blood cells, or platelets. For clients with a history of transfusion reactions, PRBCs are the most suitable blood component to minimize the risk of future reactions.

D) 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.

A) Correct: The client's symptoms of hives, itching, and facial swelling indicate a potential allergic transfusion reaction (urticarial reaction). The nurse's immediate action is to stop the transfusion immediately and notify the healthcare provider for further evaluation and intervention.

B) Incorrect: While administering an antihistamine may be part of the treatment plan for an allergic transfusion reaction, it is not the immediate action. The nurse should first stop the transfusion and notify the healthcare provider.

C) Incorrect: Slowing down the transfusion rate is not appropriate in the presence of an allergic transfusion reaction. The nurse should stop the transfusion immediately.

D) 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.