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A patient undergoing a hip replacement has autologous blood on standby if a transfusion is needed. What is the primary advantage of autologous transfusions?
- A. Safe transfusion for patients with a history of transfusion reactions
- B. Prevention of viral infections from another persons blood
- C. Avoidance of complications in patients with alloantibodies
- D. Prevention of alloimmunization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary advantage of autologous transfusions is the prevention of viral infections from another persons blood. Other secondary advantages include safe transfusion for patients with a history of transfusion reactions, prevention of alloimmunization, and avoidance of complications in patients with alloantibodies.
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An interdisciplinary team has been commissioned to create policies and procedures aimed at preventing acute hemolytic transfusion reactions. What action has the greatest potential to reduce the risk of this transfusion reaction?
- A. Ensure that blood components are never infused at a rate greater than 125 mL/hr.
- B. Administer prophylactic antihistamines prior to all blood transfusions.
- C. Establish baseline vital signs for all patients receiving transfusions.
- D. Be vigilant in identifying the patient and the blood component.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most common causes of acute hemolytic reaction are errors in blood component labeling and patient identification that result in the administration of an ABO-incompatible transfusion. Actions to address these causes are necessary in all health care settings. Prophylactic antihistamines are not normally administered, and would not prevent acute hemolytic reactions. Similarly, baseline vital signs and slow administration will not prevent this reaction.
An older adult client is exhibiting many of the characteristic signs and symptoms of iron deficiency. In addition to a complete blood count, what diagnostic assessment should the nurse anticipate?
- A. Stool for occult blood
- B. Bone marrow biopsy
- C. Lumbar puncture
- D. Urinalysis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Iron deficiency in the adult generally indicates blood loss (e.g., from bleeding in the GI tract or heavy menstrual flow). Bleeding in the GI tract can be preliminarily identified by testing stool for the presence of blood. A bone marrow biopsy would not be undertaken for the sole purpose of investigating an iron deficiency. Lumbar puncture and urinalysis would not be clinically relevant.
Two units of PRBCs have been ordered for a patient who has experienced a GI bleed. The patient is highly reluctant to receive a transfusion, stating, Im terrified of getting AIDS from a blood transfusion. How can the nurse best address the patients concerns?
- A. All the donated blood in the United States is treated with antiretroviral medications before it is used.
- B. That did happen in some high-profile cases in the twentieth century, but it is no longer a possibility.
- C. HIV was eradicated from the US blood supply in the early 2000s.
- D. The chances of contracting AIDS from a blood transfusion in the United States are exceedingly low.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient can be reassured about the very low possibility of contracting HIV from the transfusion. However, it is not an absolute impossibility. Antiretroviral medications are not introduced into donated blood. The blood supply is constantly dynamic, due to the brief life of donated blood.
The nurse is planning the care of a patient with a nutritional deficit and a diagnosis of megaloblastic anemia. The nurse should recognize that this patients health problem is due to what?
- A. Production of inadequate quantities of RBCs
- B. Premature release of immature RBCs
- C. Injury to the RBCs in circulation
- D. Abnormalities in the structure and function RBCs
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies are characterized by the production of abnormally large erythrocytes called megaloblasts. Because these cells are abnormal, many are sequestered (trapped) while still in the bone marrow, and their rate of release is decreased. Some of these cells actually die in the marrow before they can be released into the circulation. This results in megaloblastic anemia. This pathologic process does not involve inadequate production, premature release, or injury to existing RBCs.
The nurse is preparing to administer a unit of platelets to an adult patient. When administering this blood product, which of the following actions should the nurse perform?
- A. Administer the platelets as rapidly as the patient can tolerate.
- B. Establish IV access as soon as the platelets arrive from the blood bank.
- C. Ensure that the patient has a patent central venous catheter.
- D. Aspirate 10 to 15 mL of blood from the patients IV immediately following the transfusion.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should infuse each unit of platelets as fast as patient can tolerate to diminish platelet clumping during administration. IV access should be established prior to obtaining the platelets from the blood bank. A central line is appropriate for administration, but peripheral IV access (22-gauge or larger) is sufficient. There is no need to aspirate after the transfusion.