Transfusion During Pregnancy?

[Fun2, BSN, RN]

Ok, I have a critical thinking question form A&P 2 (Marieb book). Could someone please look at my answer and tell me if it looks correct? THANKS!

Mary Healy, a young woman with severe lady partsl bleeding, is admitted to the emergency room. She is three months pregnant, and the physician is concerned about the volume of blood she is loosing. (a) What type of transfusion will probably be given to this patient? (b) What blood tests will be performed before starting the transfusion?

Type of transfusion would be whole blood; Plasma could be used if there wasn't time for blood typing.

Tests that would be ran would be blood typing, & RH factor.

If in an emergency, it would be better to use O -. This is because O blood type is accepted with every type of blood, and RH- can be accepted by RH- or RH+ blood.

[suzanne4, RN]

RH Factor is included with blood typing.

Hemoglobin and hematocrit to know how low her levels are before you begin.

Take into account that with bleeding that severe, chances are that she is miscarrying and will need a D &C. So a surgical procedure is what she is going to need ASAP more than likely.

Sorry to throw another loop into this for you, but those are also considerations.

[Fun2, BSN, RN]

Thanks :) (As for the D&C part...been there done that lol) I really don't think this question is meant to be that in depth, but I'll add the little tidbit of info anyway.

Thanks again!

RH Factor is included with blood typing.

Hemoglobin and hematocrit to know how low her levels are before you begin.

Take into account that with bleeding that severe, chances are that she is miscarrying and will need a D &C. So a surgical procedure is what she is going to need ASAP more than likely.

Sorry to throw another loop into this for you, but those are also considerations.

[suzanne4, RN]

If a transfusion is warranted, then it has nothing to do with the pregnancy status. If anyhting, you would be anxious to give blood earlier because there is another blood supply that has to be looked after.

But most of the time with severe lady partsl bleeding it is straight to the OR.