The nurse is reviewing the client's medical record.

Exhibits

For each potential nursing action, click to specify if the action is indicated or not indicated.

• Assist with titrating the rate of infusion to maintain the client's blood pressure at 90/60 mm Hg or above: The client has hypotension due to gastrointestinal bleeding, and blood transfusion can help restore intravascular volume. Adjusting the transfusion rate to maintain adequate perfusion is necessary.
• Document the blood product transfusion in the client's medical record: It is necessary to document the administration of blood products, including vital signs, volume infused, and any reactions, to ensure accurate medical records.
• Assist with obtaining the first unit of packed RBCs from the blood bank: Blood products must be obtained from the blood bank following facility protocol, ensuring proper identification and verification before administration.
• Monitor the client for the first 15 min of the transfusion: The client is at risk for transfusion reactions, which are most likely to occur within the first 15 minutes. Close monitoring allows for early detection and intervention.

Not Indicated:

• Start an IV bolus of lactated Ringer's solution: The provider prescribed 0.9% sodium chloride, not lactated Ringer’s solution. Using the correct fluid is important to avoid potential electrolyte imbalances.
• Discard the blood bag in the client's trash can after the transfusion: Blood product bags must be disposed of in a biohazard container to comply with infection control policies and prevent contamination.

A. Remove the tape by pulling from the center of the dressing. Tape should be removed by pulling toward the wound rather than from the center to avoid skin trauma and unnecessary disruption to the healing tissue. Pulling from the center can increase discomfort and damage surrounding skin.
B. Clean the wound from the center to the outer edges. Cleaning from the center outward prevents the introduction of microorganisms from the surrounding skin into the wound, reducing the risk of further infection. This technique follows the principle of working from the cleanest area to the least clean.
C. Moisten the dressing before removal. A wet-to-dry dressing is meant to adhere to necrotic tissue and debris, which is then removed when the dry dressing is taken off. Moistening it before removal defeats this purpose by softening the dressing, reducing its effectiveness in debriding the wound.
D. Wear sterile gloves to remove the dressing. Clean gloves are appropriate for removing a contaminated dressing. Sterile gloves are necessary for applying the new dressing to maintain an aseptic environment. Using sterile gloves for removal is unnecessary and does not improve infection control.