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A patient is experiencing thrombocytopenia and needs a blood product to increase their platelet count.
Which blood product should the nurse administer to address this condition?

Whole blood.

Packed red blood cells (PRBCs)

Fresh frozen plasma (FFP)

Platelets.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale:

Whole blood.

Rationale: Whole blood contains red blood cells, plasma, platelets, and other components.

It is typically used for patients with significant blood loss or when multiple blood components need to be replaced.

However, in this case, the patient is specifically experiencing thrombocytopenia, which means a low platelet count.

Administering whole blood would not be the most appropriate choice because it does not provide a concentrated dose of platelets, which is what the patient needs.

Choice B rationale:

Packed red blood cells (PRBCs)

Rationale: Packed red blood cells are primarily used to increase oxygen-carrying capacity in patients with anemia or significant blood loss.

They do not contain a sufficient quantity of platelets to address thrombocytopenia, so this is not the correct choice for the patient in question.

Choice C rationale:

Fresh frozen plasma (FFP)

Rationale: Fresh frozen plasma is rich in clotting factors and is used to treat bleeding disorders or clotting factor deficiencies.

While it can be a valuable component in some cases, it does not directly increase platelet counts.

Therefore, it is not the most appropriate choice for a patient with thrombocytopenia.

Choice D rationale:

Platelets.

Rationale: Platelets are the correct choice for a patient with thrombocytopenia.

Platelet transfusion provides a concentrated dose of platelets, which can help increase the patient's platelet count and improve clotting ability.

It directly addresses the underlying issue in thrombocytopenia, making it the most suitable option.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) typically presents with symptoms of fever, rash, diarrhea, and pancytopenia 1 to 6 weeks after transfusion.

It is a delayed reaction, but it does not cause epistaxis, hematuria, and menorrhagia, which are bleeding symptoms.

Therefore, it is an unlikely choice for this scenario.

Choice B rationale:

Transfusion-related immunomodulation (TRIM) is a theory that blood transfusions may affect the immune system, but it does not typically present with the specific bleeding symptoms described in the scenario.

TRIM is more concerned with the immunosuppressive effects of transfusions.

Choice C rationale:

Post-transfusion purpura is a rare condition that occurs 5 to 12 days after a transfusion.

It is characterized by sudden severe thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and bleeding symptoms, which can include epistaxis (nosebleeds), hematuria (blood in the urine), and menorrhagia (excessive menstrual bleeding)

This aligns with the symptoms described in the scenario, making it the most likely cause.

Choice D rationale:

Viral infections can be a complication of blood transfusions, but they do not typically present with these specific bleeding symptoms within 7 days after the transfusion.

Viral infections may cause a broader range of symptoms and have a longer incubation period.

A. "I recommend autologous transfusion, where you donate your own blood before surgery and receive it back during or after the procedure.” B. "You should consider erythropoietin therapy, as it stimulates red blood cell production and reduces the need for transfusion.” C. "Iron therapy can help increase your hemoglobin levels and reduce the need for transfusion; it's available orally or intravenously.” D. "You may benefit from hemostatic agents, which promote clotting and stop bleeding when needed.”

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Autologous transfusion involves collecting and storing the patient's blood before a planned surgery or procedure, eliminating the risk of incompatibility, infection, and immunologic reactions associated with allogeneic (donor) blood transfusions.

This option aligns with the patient's religious beliefs and offers a safe alternative.

Choice B rationale:

Erythropoietin therapy stimulates red blood cell production but does not eliminate the need for transfusion entirely.

It may not align with the patient's refusal of blood products due to religious beliefs.

Choice C rationale:

Iron therapy can increase hemoglobin levels but may not completely eliminate the need for transfusion.

It also may not be a suitable alternative for the patient's specific condition.

Choice D rationale:

Hemostatic agents are not a substitute for blood transfusion.

They are used to control bleeding but do not address anemia or increase hemoglobin levels.

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A patient is experiencing thrombocytopenia and needs a blood product to increase their platelet count.Which blood product should the nurse administer to address this condition?

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A patient is experiencing thrombocytopenia and needs a blood product to increase their platelet count.
Which blood product should the nurse administer to address this condition?