A patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is admitted for chemotherapy treatment. As part of the nursing management, which of the following interventions is most critical to prevent infection in this patient?

Choice A Reason:

Administering propranolol intravenously is the most appropriate initial intervention for managing a thyroid storm. Thyroid storm is a life-threatening condition characterized by severe hyperthyroidism, leading to symptoms such as tachycardia, hypertension, and hyperthermia. Propranolol, a non-selective beta-blocker, helps control these symptoms by reducing heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, propranolol inhibits the peripheral conversion of T4 to T3, the more active form of thyroid hormone, thereby reducing the overall thyroid hormone activity. This makes it a critical first step in stabilizing the patient.

Choice B Reason:

Administering dextrose 50% intravenously is not the most appropriate initial intervention for thyroid storm. Dextrose 50% is typically used to treat severe hypoglycemia by rapidly increasing blood glucose levels. While maintaining adequate glucose levels is important, it does not address the primary issue of excessive thyroid hormone activity in thyroid storm.

Choice C Reason:

Administering levothyroxine orally is inappropriate in the context of thyroid storm. Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of T4 used to treat hypothyroidism, not hyperthyroidism. Administering it in a thyroid storm would exacerbate the condition by increasing the levels of thyroid hormone in the body.

Choice D Reason:

Administering insulin to control hyperglycemia is not the primary intervention for thyroid storm. While hyperglycemia can occur in thyroid storm due to increased metabolic activity, the immediate priority is to control the excessive thyroid hormone activity. Insulin administration would be secondary to stabilizing the patient’s thyroid function.

Choice A Reason:

Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTRs) are common and typically present with fever, chills, and sometimes rigors. However, they do not usually cause severe symptoms such as back pain and difficulty breathing. FNHTRs are generally less severe and are caused by the recipient’s immune response to donor white blood cells or cytokines in the transfused blood.

Choice B Reason:

Allergic reactions to blood transfusions can range from mild to severe. Mild reactions may include itching, hives, and rash, while severe reactions (anaphylaxis) can cause difficulty breathing and hypotension. However, allergic reactions do not typically cause back pain, which is more indicative of a hemolytic process.

Choice C Reason:

Fluid overload, also known as transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO), can occur when too much blood is transfused too quickly. Symptoms include dyspnea, hypertension, and pulmonary edema. While difficulty breathing is a symptom of fluid overload, chills and back pain are not typical features.

Choice D Reason:

Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction (AHTR) is the most likely cause of the patient’s symptoms. AHTR occurs when the recipient’s immune system attacks the transfused red blood cells, leading to their destruction. This reaction can cause severe symptoms such as chills, fever, back pain, and difficulty breathing. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to prevent serious complications, including kidney failure and shock.