blood transfusions

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hi ya i am a 2nd year general nursing student. on monday i have a practical exam on blood transfusions i am finding it so hard to learn though, as learning from paper is so different to actually doing it! does anyone know a step-by-step way of learning it? from getting a blood sample right to the end.

thanks!:balloons:

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, Home Health/Hospice, Cath Lab,.
hi ya i am a 2nd year general nursing student. on monday i have a practical exam on blood transfusions i am finding it so hard to learn though, as learning from paper is so different to actually doing it! does anyone know a step-by-step way of learning it? from getting a blood sample right to the end.

thanks!:balloons:

Unfortunately, many hospitals have different protocols for blood transfusions and schools require you to (usually) state everything such as:

1) Open chart

2) check for order

3) check name and MRN on order and on patient

4) etc.

Which would take a long time to write out - however, you can certainly do so. I found it most helpful during school to write out the steps of any procedure. Then, if hands on serves you best, create what you need.

For example, have a notebook with the order written in it. Your SO, family, roommate etc with a patient band, a couple of those fruit drinks in the silver pouches, etc. Next go through each step you have just written out with someone holding the steps to nudge you along the right path.

Unless you are good memorizing, that might work well - an easy way is to record yourself going over each step and play it day and night until you can "sing along"

Hope this helps,

Pat

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The BIG things: check, check, check. Patient and blood type. Then check and check again.

Postitive blood can NEVER go to an Rh negative recipient.

Temp and full VS before beginning the transfusion. Q15 min x 2 once it begins then q30. Slow is better than fast.

Check.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

Uhmm, before you give ANY blood make sure you have a consent for blood products signed by the patient or poahc.

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Specializes in Trauma ICU,ER,ACLS/BLS instructor.

Jacho and safety highly recommends TWO licenced people check the blood product,each one,at the bedside of the pt. One reads from the bag,one checks it with pt and or bracelet,both review ID numbers,etc,,,,,

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Make sure you have a patent IV. I can't tell you how many staff come running to me "I need and IV STAT! I have 10 minutes left in which to get the blood going!".

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Depends on what the requirements are for Ireland and the hospital may have it's own policy. I know a couple of years ago when I was moving from hospital to community there was talk at my hospital in changes to blood transfusions but we always did it with 2 trained nurses of whom one must be RN level 1. Also who ever took the blood had to initial the bottle as well as the forms and if out of hours the blood could only be fetched from the fridge by the RN, if during hours then anyone ie Aux nurse/care assistant, porters or HCA can receive as long as they had the correct forms

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Specializes in Trauma ICU,ER,ACLS/BLS instructor.
Make sure you have a patent IV. I can't tell you how many staff come running to me "I need and IV STAT! I have 10 minutes left in which to get the blood going!".

Woops! Yes yes yes to this, !!! And a large bore(sp) one please with no turns for the blood to navigate,,,,lol.

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Specializes in ER/EHR Trainer.

Know why you need it-I always want to know and have proof of need

Order

Consent on chart

Type and Screen=blood on hold

Large bore IV inserted

Iv pump with primed ytubing

2 nurse check-name band, dob, consent, expiration date, blood type,

Initial vital signs

Q15 minute VS

Run slower for first 30 minutes-then open up.

Run no more than 4 hours-follow doctor's orders.

When complete:

Final VS

if no additional fluids to be hung-saline flush and change end cap.

fill out paperwork-total amount infused.

Send bag and tubing back to lab.

This is what happens in our facility without any reactions, or continued infusions.

Things to remember:

In the event of emergency blood O- all of the same things are done as above, when blood type obtained-subsequent prbc are of the correct blood type.

Frozen blood must be warmed.

If giving blood-you probably want two lines.

Don't think I forgot anything, but there each facility has different rules for administration of blood products. Good luck on your test.

Maisy;)

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Specializes in ortho/neuro/general surgery.
Iv pump with primed ytubing

And the only solution you can prime blood tubing with is 0.9% Normal Saline

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

probably the best way to find a step-by-step procedure is to look at a transfusion policy for one of your local hospitals. each hospital will have one and each hospital policy may be slightly different than someone else's although the major steps will be the same.

here i weblinks i have on blood transfusions. i hope you will find some of them helpful:

since i see you are a student nurse i would like to point out that allnurses has a section of forums for students. we have lots of helpful websites for students on the sticky threads of those forums to help you with your assignments. you can access these forums by clicking on the "students" tab at the top of any allnurses page.

Chart of Commonly Transfused Blood Products.doc

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