The nursing intervention that is the priority when preparing to administer blood is
A) administration of pretransfusion antihistamines.
B) asking a second health care professional to confirm blood acceptability.
C) establishing baseline vital signs.
D) obtaining a written order for the transfusion.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All options are reasonable. Baseline vitals are important to compare against subsequent ones. There will be a written order for the transfusion at some point; either the physician or the nurse will write the order. Some clients will need premedication before a transfusion, but the most critical phase of transfusion is confirming product compatibility and verifying client identity. Most transfusion reactions can be traced to improper product-to-patient identification. Two professional nurses are required to perform that task.

The Nursing Intervention That Is the Priority When Preparing to Administer