Packed red blood cells have been ordered for a client. Prior to administration of this blood product, the nurse should prioritize what client education?
The reason for administering packed red blood cells instead of other blood products
The physiological function of packed red blood cells
Infection risks associated with blood product administration
Signs and symptoms of a blood transfusion reaction
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: While understanding the indication for therapy is part of the informed consent process, it is not the primary safety priority. Understanding the rationale does not directly protect the patient from the acute, life-threatening physiological complications that can occur during the transfusion process itself.
Choice B reason: Explaining the physiological function of red blood cells to increase oxygen-carrying capacity is educationally relevant. However, this information does not mitigate the acute risks of a transfusion reaction. Patient safety is prioritized over theoretical knowledge when administering potentially dangerous biological products.
Choice C reason: Infection risks such as hepatitis or human immunodeficiency virus are carefully screened for in blood donations, making them statistically rare events in modern transfusion medicine. While patients should be aware of potential risks, this information is less critical for immediate safety than identifying acute transfusion reactions.
Choice D reason: Recognition of symptoms like fever, chills, urticaria, dyspnea, or flank pain is vital because early intervention is the only way to prevent severe morbidity or mortality from a transfusion reaction. Teaching the patient to alert staff immediately allows for the rapid cessation of the transfusion, which is the priority intervention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and poor nutrition are all modifiable risk factors. These factors can be controlled or significantly mitigated through pharmacological intervention, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications, thereby reducing the progression of atherosclerosis and the overall risk of developing ischemic coronary artery disease in high-risk populations.
Choice B reason: Ethnicity and age are non-modifiable risk factors. While a sedentary lifestyle is modifiable, the inclusion of ethnicity and age makes this group of factors incorrect. Clinical nursing prioritization focuses on factors that the patient can actively change to improve health outcomes, such as activity levels and diet.
Choice C reason: Race and heredity are non-modifiable genetic risk factors. Chronic kidney disease, while a significant independent risk factor, is a chronic medical condition that is managed rather than simply modified through patient behavior. Therefore, this set is not composed entirely of modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors.
Choice D reason: Gender and heredity are non-modifiable biological and genetic risk factors. Although hypertension is modifiable, the presence of non-modifiable variables renders this choice incorrect. Nursing education regarding risk factor modification must focus exclusively on those areas where patient behavioral and lifestyle interventions can produce measurable clinical improvement.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Morphine is an opioid analgesic and has no clinically significant antiplatelet or anticoagulant properties. It cannot prevent the formation of thrombi in the coronary vasculature. Other pharmacological agents, such as aspirin or heparin, are indicated for the inhibition of platelet aggregation and thrombus formation.
Choice B reason: Morphine reduces anxiety and physical pain, which effectively lowers sympathetic nervous system outflow. This decrease in sympathetic activity leads to reduced heart rate and systemic vascular resistance (afterload), which in turn lowers myocardial oxygen demand. Furthermore, the reduction in preload improves the efficiency of coronary artery perfusion.
Choice C reason: Morphine does not exert a positive inotropic effect on the myocardium. In fact, excessive doses can cause myocardial depression. Its primary benefit in this context is through its sedative and analgesic effects, which indirectly stabilize hemodynamics rather than by directly altering the contractile force of the heart muscle.
Choice D reason: Morphine does not increase cardiac output or heart rate. Increasing the heart rate would be deleterious in a patient with a myocardial infarction as it would directly increase oxygen demand, worsening ischemia. Morphine generally tends to cause bradycardia or has little effect on heart rate at therapeutic doses.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.