A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a blood transfusion due to religious beliefs.
What alternative option can the nurse suggest to reduce the risk of incompatibility, infection, and immunologic reaction?

Choice A rationale:

Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) is characterized by symptoms related to fluid overload, such as dyspnea and fluid accumulation, but not abdominal symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Choice B rationale:

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) primarily presents with respiratory symptoms and is not associated with gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Choice C rationale:

Acute hemolytic reactions occur when there is a mismatch between the donor and recipient blood types, resulting in rapid destruction of transfused red blood cells.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which are consistent with the client's presentation described in the question.

Choice D rationale:

Allergic reactions to blood transfusions typically present with symptoms like itching, hives, and flushing, but not with gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Choice A rationale:

Verify the patient's identification.

Rationale: Ensuring the correct patient is receiving the blood transfusion is a critical safety step.

Verifying the patient's identification helps prevent transfusion errors and ensures that the right blood product is administered to the right patient.

Choice B rationale:

Obtain informed consent.

Rationale: Obtaining informed consent is a necessary step before any medical procedure, including blood transfusions.

It ensures that the patient understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the transfusion and has the opportunity to ask questions and make an informed decision.

Choice E rationale:

Document the procedure accurately.

Rationale: Accurate documentation is essential for maintaining a complete record of the transfusion process.

It includes documenting the patient's identification, vital signs, the type and volume of blood product administered, any adverse reactions, and the patient's response to the transfusion.

This documentation serves as a legal and clinical record of the procedure.

Choice C rationale:

Monitor vital signs during the transfusion.

Rationale: While monitoring vital signs is important during a blood transfusion, it is not a responsibility before initiating the transfusion.

Vital sign monitoring occurs during the transfusion to detect any immediate adverse reactions or transfusion-related complications.

Choice D rationale:

Prepare the patient for an exchange transfusion.

Rationale: Preparing a patient for an exchange transfusion is not a nursing responsibility before initiating a routine blood transfusion.

Exchange transfusions are typically used for specific medical conditions, such as hemolytic disease of the newborn or sickle cell disease, and involve the removal and replacement of a large volume of blood.

Standard blood transfusions do not require this preparation.

For , fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is the most suitable blood product for increasing fibrinogen levels in a patient with hemophilia A.

For , the nursing responsibilities before initiating a blood transfusion include verifying the patient's identification, obtaining informed consent, and documenting the procedure accurately.

Monitoring vital signs is important but occurs during the transfusion, and preparing the patient for an exchange transfusion is not relevant to routine blood transfusions.