ATI Hematologic System Related

Review ATI Hematologic System related questions and content

An older adult patient is receiving a transfusion of packed red blood cells after being injured in a car accident. On assessment, the nurse notes a new finding of bounding pulse, crackles, and increasing dyspnea. What should the nurse do first, after stopping the transfusion?

  • A. Assess vital signs.
  • B. Raise the head of the bed.
  • C. Encourage the patient to deep breathe and cough.
  • D. Administer pm diphenhydramine (Benadryl) as ordered.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Raise the head of the bed. This action is crucial in managing the potential complication of fluid overload in the patient receiving a blood transfusion. Elevating the head of the bed helps reduce venous return to the heart, decreasing preload and cardiac workload. This can alleviate symptoms like dyspnea and crackles associated with fluid overload. Assessing vital signs (choice A) is important but should follow positioning the patient appropriately. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing (choice C) may exacerbate the patient's respiratory distress. Administering diphenhydramine (choice D) is not indicated for the symptoms described.