What will be the care of a patient on a blood transfusion?

Editorial Team / Admin · May 14, 2015

While we at AN are happy to help with homework questions, we do expect that you show us what you've found so far and where you are stuck- we will not flat out do your assignment for you. What resources have you already tried in finding this information? What are your thoughts about the subject?

Hanan Carrazzo · May 14, 2015

yes off course well this is what ive got so far, but im not sure if its correct. Because i think the question is asking for the care after the blood has been transfused..

- Before any blood is transfused, it is vital that the correct patient identification procedure has taken place using the patient's wristband. Always make the patient identify herself/himself .You could ask him/her to spell out their name and DOB if possible.

- Always double check that is it the right patient with the right identification number for the right blood, looking specifically at sampling, collection and administration.

- Always record vital signs, such as temperature pulse and blood pressure. The purpose of doing these observations is to ensure that if an acute reaction was to occur, it can be recognised early and dealt with in a timely manner.

DowntheRiver · May 15, 2015

What do you do if the patient has a reaction? Good to know because I know it often comes up as an NCLEX question - I had one on mine!

Hanan Carrazzo · May 15, 2015

you stop the transfusion immediately and when everything is done and back to normal you must go back and check the blood sample, date, donor group, patient id number ect. to see what went wrong

am i on the right track haha

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · May 15, 2015

How do you identify a transfusion reaction? This is what you will be assessing for throughout the transfusion.

Hanan Carrazzo · May 15, 2015

can you look for signs and symptoms such as sudden chills, fainting or dizziness, blood in the urine, flank pain and skin flushing?

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · May 15, 2015

Good. See, you know a lot about this already, don't you?

Now that your patient has had his blood, what do you want to check? Hint: Why did he get it? What were his symptoms then? Are they better now? How do you know?

What patient teaching does he need?

BecomingNursey · May 15, 2015

Don't forget to get the blood products consent signed!!!!

I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.

Author: Art Williams

Hanan Carrazzo · May 15, 2015

okay so we know that the patient obviously needed the blood transfusion because he lost too much blood in an injury or surgery ect.

this is a tricky one, so we want to check the blood? take blood tests? and if patient was in a car accident and therefore needed the transfusion you could check, manage and dress any wounds the patient might have? i dont know i think this is where i might need help

i know we must always check the patients vital signs after the transfusion to recognize fever, hypo/hypertension, tachycardia.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · May 15, 2015

And if a reaction is suspected, what do you do with the tubing and bag of blood?

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · May 15, 2015

okay so we know that the patient obviously needed the blood transfusion because he lost too much blood in an injury or surgery ect.
this is a tricky one, so we want to check the blood? take blood tests? and if patient was in a car accident and therefore needed the transfusion you could check, manage and dress any wounds the patient might have? i dont know i think this is where i might need help
i know we must always check the patients vital signs after the transfusion to recognize fever, hypo/hypertension, tachycardia.

Good.

A lot of people get blood who have not been injured or had surgery. What about them? A test question (or clinical situation) that doesn't tell you how the person became anemic wants to know what you know about giving blood including care after it's given. It's asking about the blood itself.

As a nurse you wouldn't be putting drawing labs as part of your nursing plan of care, but you might need to remind a physician to write for post-transfusion labs as part of the medical plan of care, correct. You would review the results to see ... What?

You are right about checking vital signs and keeping alert about post-transfusion reactions or complications. These might include .... what, besides changes in vital signs? HINT: Kidneys, allergy, muscles.