Blood Admin Quiz

A patient is receiving the first of two ordered units of PRBCs. Shortly after the initiation of the transfusion, the patient complains of chills and experiences a sharp increase in temperature. What is the nurse's priority action? Select one: a. Position the patient in high Fowler's. b. Obtain a blood specimen from the patient. c. Discontinue the transfusion. d. Auscultate the patient's lungs.

C. Discontinue the transfusion.

A nurse has participated in organizing a blood donation drive at a local community center. Which of the following individuals would most likely be disallowed from donating blood? Select one: a. A woman whose blood pressure is 88/51 mm Hg b. A man who is 81 years of age c. A woman who has type 1 diabetes d. A man who donated blood 4 months ago

a. A woman whose blood pressure is 88/51 mm Hg

A patient's low hemoglobin level has necessitated transfusion of PRBCs. Prior to administration, what action should the nurse perform? Select one: a. Assess the patient's vital signs to establish baselines. b. Facilitate insertion of a central venous catheter. c. Ensure that the patient has granted verbal consent for transfusion. d. Have the patient identify his or her blood type in writing.

a. Assess the patient's vital signs to establish baselines.

The nurse caring for a patient receiving a transfusion notes that 15 minutes after the infusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) has begun, the patient is having difficulty breathing and complains of severe chest tightness. What is the most appropriate initial action for the nurse to take? Select one: a. Stop the transfusion immediately. b. Notify the patient's physician. c. Assess the patient's chest sounds and vital signs. d. Remove the patient's IV access.

a. Stop the transfusion immediately.

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, "I'm terrified of getting AIDS from a blood transfusion." How can the nurse best address the patient's concerns? Select one: a. "HIV was eradicated from the US blood supply in the early 2000s." b. "All the donated blood in the United States is treated with antiretroviral medications before it is used." c. "The chances of contracting AIDS from a blood transfusion in the United States are exceedingly low." d. "That did happen in some high-profile cases in the twentieth century, but it is no longer a possibility."

c. "The chances of contracting AIDS from a blood transfusion in the United States are exceedingly low."

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? Select one: a. Administer prophylactic antihistamines prior to all blood transfusions. b. Establish baseline vital signs for all patients receiving transfusions. c. Be vigilant in identifying the patient and the blood component. d. Ensure that blood components are never infused at a rate greater than 125 mL/hr.

c. Be vigilant in identifying the patient and the blood component.

A nurse at a blood donation clinic has completed the collection of blood from a woman. The woman states that she feels "lightheaded" and she appears visibly pale. What is the nurse's most appropriate action? Select one: a. Administer supplementary oxygen by nasal prongs. b. Inform a physician or other primary care provider. c. Help her into a sitting position with her head lowered below her knees. d. Obtain a full set of vital signs.

c. Help her into a sitting position with her head lowered below her knees.

A patient is receiving a blood transfusion and complains of a new onset of slight dyspnea. The nurse's rapid assessment reveals bilateral lung crackles and elevated BP. What is the nurse's most appropriate action? Select one: a. Discontinue the transfusion and begin resuscitation. b. Pause the transfusion and administer a 250 mL bolus of normal saline. c. Slow the infusion rate and monitor the patient closely. d. Discontinue the transfusion and administer a beta-blocker, as ordered.

c. Slow the infusion rate and monitor the patient closely.

A patient is being treated in the ICU after a medical error resulted in an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. What was the etiology of this patient's adverse reaction? Select one: a. The patient had a sensitivity reaction to a plasma protein in the blood. b. The blood was infused too quickly and overwhelmed the patient's circulatory system. c. The donor blood was incompatible with that of the patient. d. Antibodies to donor leukocytes remained in the blood.

c. The donor blood was incompatible with that of the patient.

Which of the following circumstances would most clearly warrant autologous blood donation? Select one: a. The patient has sickle cell disease or a thalassemia. b. The patient has hepatitis C. c. The patient has elective surgery pending. d. The patient has type-O blood.

c. The patient has elective surgery pending.

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? Select one: a. Aspirate 10 to 15 mL of blood from the patient's IV immediately following the transfusion. 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. Administer the platelets as rapidly as the patient can tolerate.

d. Administer the platelets as rapidly as the patient can tolerate.

A patient on the medical unit is receiving a unit of PRBCs. Difficult IV access has necessitated a slow infusion rate and the nurse notes that the infusion began 4 hours ago. What is the nurse's most appropriate action? Select one: a. Apply an icepack to the blood that remains to be infused. b. Disconnect the bag of PRBCs, cool for 30 minutes and then administer. c. Administer the remaining PRBCs by the IV direct (IV push) route. d. Discontinue the remainder of the PRBC transfusion and inform the physician.

d. Discontinue the remainder of the PRBC transfusion and inform the physician.