A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which action should the nurse take before initiating the transfusion?
Confirm the client's identity and blood type with the client's family member.
Obtain informed consent from the client and ensure the client has a signed consent form.
Warm the blood unit to body temperature in a microwave oven to prevent hypothermia.
Administer a rapid bolus of normal saline to prime the client's veins.
The Correct Answer is B
A) Incorrect: Confirming the client's identity and blood type with the client's family member is not a reliable method for ensuring patient safety during a blood transfusion. The nurse should directly verify the client's identity and blood type with two unique identifiers, such as asking the client to state their full name and date of birth and comparing it to their identification band.
B) Correct: Obtaining informed consent from the client is a crucial step before initiating a blood transfusion. The nurse must ensure the client understands the risks and benefits of the transfusion and has willingly provided consent. A signed consent form is the formal documentation of this process.
C) Incorrect: Warming blood in a microwave oven is not an appropriate method for preventing hypothermia and can lead to hemolysis of the blood components. Blood should be warmed using an approved blood warmer designed for this purpose.
D) Incorrect: Administering a rapid bolus of normal saline is unnecessary and could lead to fluid overload in the client. The nurse should administer normal saline or another appropriate IV fluid at the prescribed rate if the client requires hydration before or after the transfusion, but not as a priming method.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Correct: Red blood cells are the main blood component involved in the crossmatching process. Crossmatching ensures compatibility between the donor's red blood cells and the recipient's plasma, preventing adverse reactions during the transfusion.
B) Incorrect: White blood cells are not part of the crossmatching process. They play a role in the immune response but are not specifically assessed during crossmatching.
C) Incorrect: Platelets are not directly involved in the crossmatching process. Crossmatching primarily focuses on red blood cell compatibility.
D) Incorrect: Plasma is not directly involved in the crossmatching process. The focus is on ensuring compatibility between red blood cells and the recipient's plasma.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Incorrect: Obtaining a signed informed consent is an essential step before administering a blood transfusion, but it is not the priority action for preventing a potential complication related to blood compatibility. The nurse should first confirm the client's blood type and Rh factor.
B) Correct: The nurse's priority action is to confirm the client's blood type and Rh factor with two unique identifiers to ensure compatibility between the client and the blood product. This step is crucial for preventing transfusion reactions due to ABO and Rh incompatibility.
C) Incorrect: Ensuring that the blood product is properly labeled and has not expired is important for patient safety but is not the priority action before administering a blood transfusion. The nurse should first confirm the client's blood type and Rh factor.
D) Incorrect: Assessing the client's vital signs and baseline laboratory values is essential, but it is not the priority action for preventing a potential complication related to blood compatibility. The nurse should first confirm the client's blood type and Rh factor.
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