A nurse is preparing to administer a blood component to a client. Which blood component is responsible for promoting clot formation and controlling bleeding?

A. Notifying the healthcare provider is important, but the immediate priority is to stop the transfusion to prevent further exposure to the potential offending blood product.

B. Administering antipyretics addresses fever but does not stop the transfusion, so it does not prevent worsening of a potentially serious reaction.

C. Preparing a diuretic may be appropriate for fluid overload, but the symptoms described (fever, chills, shortness of breath) suggest a transfusion reaction, not just fluid overload. Immediate action is needed to prevent harm.

D. Discontinuing the blood transfusion immediately is the priority action because it prevents additional exposure to the blood product causing the reaction and is the first step in transfusion reaction protocols.

A) Correct: Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) contains various clotting factors and is used to manage clotting factor deficiencies, including those related to liver disease.

B) Incorrect: Platelets are used to treat thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction but do not primarily address clotting factor deficiencies caused by liver disease.

C) Incorrect: Cryoprecipitate is derived from FFP and contains concentrated fibrinogen and other clotting factors. It may be used in some cases of liver disease, but FFP is the more common choice for managing these conditions.

D) Incorrect: Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs) are used to improve oxygenation in anemic clients and are not the primary treatment for clotting factor deficiencies related to liver disease.

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