Blood Components
This is the component of blood that helps with clotting.
Platelets
A severe drop in red blood cells, often requiring transfusion, is known as this condition.
What is Anemia?
This blood type is the universal donor for red blood cell transfusions.
What is O Negative?
This reaction occurs when the immune system attacks transfused red blood cells.
What is a Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction?
This step verifies patient identity and blood compatibility before a transfusion.
What is Blood Product Verification?
A patient begins a blood transfusion and, 10 minutes into the infusion, reports chills, low back pain, and dark urine. Vital signs show fever and hypotension. Which of the following signs and symptoms should the nurse recognize as consistent with an acute hemolytic reaction? Select all that apply.
A. Chills and fever
B. Low back or flank pain
C. Hypotension
D. Dark, reddish-brown urine
E. Bradycardia
F. Urticaria and itching
G. Shortness of breath
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Acute hemolytic reactions occur from ABO incompatibility. Classic signs include chills, fever, flank/back pain, hypotension, hemoglobinuria (dark urine). Urticaria is more typical of allergic reactions, and bradycardia is not expected.
This component carries oxygen to tissues and is often transfused for anemia.
What are Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)?
Patients with this condition may need platelets if their count drops below 10,000/mcL.
What is Thrombocytopenia?
This test ensures compatibility between donor and recipient blood.
What is Crossmatching?
Characterized by hives and itching, this is a common allergic response to transfusion.
What is an Allergic Reaction?
This vital sign is critical to monitor during the first 15 minutes of a transfusion.
What is Temperature?
Which of the following findings would alert the nurse to a febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction? Select all that apply.
A. Fever increase of ≥1°C from baseline
B. Chills or rigors
C. Hypotension
D. Headache
E. Nausea and vomiting
F. Rash and urticaria
Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: FNHTRs are caused by antibodies to donor leukocytes. Signs include fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting. Hypotension and rash/urticaria are uncommon; rash suggests an allergic reaction
This blood product provides immune support, often used for patients with immunodeficiency.
What are Immunoglobulins (IVIG)?
This life-threatening coagulopathy requires fresh frozen plasma transfusion.
What is Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)?
Known as the universal recipient, this blood type can receive from any donor.
What is AB Positive?
This rare reaction causes breathing difficulty and hypotension, potentially leading to shock.
What is Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)?
A blood transfusion should be completed within this many hours to minimize risk.
What is 4 Hours?
A patient develops pruritus, urticaria, and facial flushing during a transfusion. Which nursing interventions and findings are appropriate? Select all that apply.
A. Stop the transfusion immediately
B. Administer antihistamine as ordered
C. Monitor vital signs for hypotension
D. Prepare to administer epinephrine
E. Slow the transfusion and observe
F. Assess for fever and chills
Answer: A, B, C, E, F
Rationale: Mild allergic reactions may present with rash, itching, and flushing. Nurses typically stop or slow the transfusion, give antihistamines, and monitor for progression. Severe reactions with airway compromise require epinephrine. Fever/chills assessment is important for differential diagnosis.
This plasma-derived product treats bleeding due to clotting factor deficiencies.
What is Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)?
Massive blood loss leading to this condition may necessitate large-volume transfusions.
What is Hemorrhagic Shock?
These antigens on red blood cells determine blood type compatibility.
What are Blood Group Antigens?
This reaction, marked by fever, is the most common non-life-threatening transfusion complication.
What is a Febrile Nonhemolytic Reaction?
This solution is used to flush the IV line before and after a transfusion. OR it is the only solution that can be used to prime blood administration tubing.
What is Normal Saline (0.9% NaCl)?
Which signs and symptoms indicate a severe anaphylactic transfusion reaction? Select all that apply.
A. Hypotension
B. Wheezing, dyspnea
C. Facial and throat swelling
D. Tachycardia
E. Severe urticaria
F. Back pain
G. Chest tightness
Answer: A, B, C, D, E, G
Rationale: Anaphylactic reactions are rapid and life-threatening. Classic signs include hypotension, tachycardia, dyspnea, wheezing, facial/throat swelling, severe urticaria, and chest tightness. Back pain is more typical of hemolytic reaction
This substance in red blood cells binds to oxygen and is critical for oxygen transport.
What is Hemoglobin?
This genetic disorder requires red blood cell transfusions to manage chronic anemia.
What is Sickle Cell Disease?
A patient with Rh-negative blood should receive blood from a donor with this Rh factor.
What is Rh-Negative?
Occurring days to weeks post-transfusion, this reaction involves delayed destruction of red blood cells.
What is a Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction?
If a transfusion reaction occurs, these three actions must be taken immediately.
What are.... stop transfusion & maintain patent IV, call MD asap & blood bank, treat & monitor the patient, disconnect blood product & tubing.
A patient with a history of heart failure receives a blood transfusion. Which signs and symptoms suggest TACO? Select all that apply.
A. Dyspnea and orthopnea
B. Cough with frothy sputum
C. Elevated blood pressure
D. Distended neck veins (JVD)
E. Hypotension
F. Fever and chills
G. Peripheral edema
Answer: A, B, C, D, G
Rationale: TACO results from volume overload. Signs include dyspnea, orthopnea, cough with frothy sputum, elevated BP, JVD, and peripheral edema. Hypotension and fever are uncommon.
The blood type of PRBC issued for Emergency Release & Hemorrhage Protocol.
What is Universal blood type- O negative?
What is the level of the hemoglobin that would indicate the need for a blood transfusion
below 7
The blood product used to treat hemophilia A.
What is cryoprecipitate?
This reaction occurs when the transfusion rate is too rapid, leading to crackles, dyspnea, and JVD.
What is circulatory overload (TACO)?
The minimum gauge size for IV access when administering blood products.
What is 18-20 gauge?
Delayed Hemolytic Reaction
Which of the following findings may indicate a delayed hemolytic reaction, occurring days to weeks after a transfusion? Select all that apply.
A. Unexplained mild fever
B. Fatigue or malaise
C. Mild jaundice
D. Hemoglobinuria
E. Rash and itching
F. Dark urine
Answer: A, B, C, F
Rationale: Delayed hemolytic reactions occur 1–2 weeks post-transfusion due to secondary antibody response. Signs include mild fever, fatigue, jaundice, and hemoglobinuria (dark urine). Rash/itching is not typical