A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving one unit of packed red blood cells (RBCs) due to intraoperative blood loss.
The client reports chills and back pain, and their blood pressure is 80/64 mm Hg. What should be the nurse’s first action?
Stop the infusion of blood.
Notify the laboratory.
Obtain a urine specimen.
Inform the provider.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
If a client reports chills and back pain during a blood transfusion, and their blood pressure is 80/64 mm Hg, the nurse’s first action should be to stop the infusion of blood. These symptoms could indicate an acute intravascular hemolytic transfusion reaction, and the greatest risk to the client is injury from receiving additional blood.
Choice B rationale
Notifying the laboratory is an important step in managing a transfusion reaction, but it is not the first action that should be taken.
Choice C rationale
Obtaining a urine specimen could be part of the overall assessment of the client’s condition, but it is not the first action that should be taken when a client is experiencing a potential transfusion reaction.
Choice D rationale
Informing the provider is an important step when a client is experiencing a reaction to a blood transfusion, but it is not the first action that should be taken.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The maximum duration for the total infusion time of packed red blood cells should be 4 hours. This is to ensure the safety and efficacy of the transfusion. Transfusing the blood too quickly can lead to complications, while taking too long can result in the blood becoming unusable.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While an elevated serum ammonia level can indicate liver dysfunction, it is not typically a contraindication for liver biopsy. Ammonia is a byproduct of protein metabolism and is normally converted into urea by the liver, which is then excreted in the urine. Elevated levels can occur in liver disease, but they are not typically a direct concern in the context of a liver biopsy.
Choice B rationale
A hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL is slightly low, but it is not typically a contraindication for a liver biopsy. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. While a low hemoglobin level can indicate anemia, it would not typically prevent a patient from undergoing a liver biopsy.
Choice C rationale
A white blood cell count of 14.2 x 103/uL is slightly elevated, indicating a possible infection or inflammation. However, this would not typically be a contraindication for a liver biopsy.
Choice D rationale
A prothrombin time of 32 seconds is significantly prolonged, indicating a potential problem with blood clotting. This would be a major concern for a nurse caring for a patient scheduled for a liver biopsy, as the procedure involves inserting a needle into the liver and could lead to bleeding. Patients with a prolonged prothrombin time are at an increased risk of bleeding complications.
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