Exhibits

Click to indicate which client goal is being met by each of the client data. Each column must have at least one response selected.

A. A client who is one day postoperative for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is typically stable and requires less complex care, which is appropriate for a practical nurse to manage under the supervision of the RN.

B. A client with alcoholism, cirrhosis, and hepatic encephalopathy requires more complex care and assessment, which should be handled by the RN.

C. A client scheduled for a foot amputation due to diabetes complications likely requires ongoing assessment and care coordination that is better suited for an RN.

D. A client who is one day postoperative with a colostomy for colon cancer may have more complicated care needs related to the colostomy, making this more appropriate for the RN.

Potential condition:

TACO is a complication that can occur during or shortly after a blood transfusion, particularly in children. It happens when the volume of blood infused exceeds the circulatory system's ability to handle it, leading to fluid overload. In this case, the child is receiving 250 mL of packed red blood cells (PRBCs), and there are signs that the child may be experiencing fluid overload, such as tachycardia, hypotension, headache, and flushing. The elevated heart rate (115 beats/minute) and low blood pressure (88/44 mm Hg) after the transfusion started suggest that the child may be at risk for circulatory overload. These symptoms, combined with the increased temperature (100.9°F, 38.3°C), further support the likelihood of TACO.

Actions to Take:

Stop the blood transfusion: This is the first and most important step when transfusion-related complications, such as TACO, are suspected. Stopping the transfusion immediately helps to prevent further exacerbation of the fluid overload, which could lead to worsening respiratory distress and circulatory compromise.

Administer an antipyretic: The child has developed a fever (100.9°F), which could be a response to the transfusion. Administering an antipyretic such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help manage the fever, provide comfort, and prevent further complications. Fever management is important, especially in transfusion reactions, as it helps reduce the risk of complications such as febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTR).

Parameters to Monitor:

Blood pressure: Monitoring the blood pressure is critical in assessing the child’s circulatory status. A low blood pressure (88/44 mm Hg), especially in the context of tachycardia, indicates that the child is experiencing hypotension, which is often associated with circulatory overload. Close monitoring of blood pressure will help guide the decision to start appropriate treatments, such as diuretics, to manage the overload.

Hematocrit: The hematocrit value provides information about the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Given that the child’s hemoglobin was 6.5 g/dL (65 g/L) prior to the transfusion, it’s important to continue monitoring the hematocrit to assess the effectiveness of the PRBC transfusion. If the hematocrit remains low despite transfusion, it could indicate an ongoing issue with blood volume or oxygen delivery to tissues.