Which identification means should the nurse use to ensure that a blood transfusion is administered to the correct client?
Continuing Education ActivityTransfusion reactions are adverse events associated with the transfusion of whole blood or one of its components. They range in severity from minor to life-threatening and can occur during a transfusion, termed acute transfusion reactions, or days to weeks later, termed delayed transfusion reactions. Transfusion reactions may be difficult to diagnose as they can present with non-specific, often overlapping symptoms. The most common signs and symptoms include fever, chills, urticaria, and itching. Some symptoms may resolve with little or no treatment. However, respiratory distress, high fever, hypotension, and hemoglobinuria may indicate a more serious reaction. All cases of suspected reactions should prompt immediate discontinuation of the transfusion and notification of the blood bank and treating clinician. This activity reviews the evaluation and management of transfusion reactions and highlights the role of interprofessional team members in collaborating to provide well-coordinated care and enhance outcomes for affected patients. Show
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Access free multiple choice questions on this topic. IntroductionTransfusion reactions are defined as adverse events associated with the transfusion of whole blood or one of its components. These may range in severity from minor to life-threatening. Reactions can occur during the transfusion (acute transfusion reactions) or days to weeks later (delayed transfusion reactions) and may be immunologic or non-immunologic. A reaction may be difficult to diagnose as it can present with non-specific, often overlapping symptoms. The most common signs and symptoms include fever, chills, urticaria (hives), and itching. Some symptoms resolve with little or no treatment. However, respiratory distress, high fever, hypotension (low blood pressure), and red urine (hemoglobinuria) can indicate a more serious reaction. Types of transfusion reactions include the following: acute hemolytic, delayed hemolytic, febrile non-hemolytic, anaphylactic, simple allergic, septic (bacterial contamination), transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), and transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO). All suspected reactions should result in immediately stopping the transfusion and notifying the blood bank and treating clinician.[1][2][3] EtiologyImmune-mediated transfusion reactions typically occur due to mismatch or incompatibility of the transfused product and the recipient. They include naturally occurring antibodies in the blood recipient (such as anti-A, anti-B which are typically responsible for acute hemolytic transfusion reactions) as well as antibodies made in response to foreign antigens (alloantibodies). These alloantibodies account for many reactions including mild allergic, febrile non-hemolytic, acute hemolytic and anaphylactic. Antibodies present in the blood donor can also cause reactions and are thought to be involved in transfusion-associated lung injury (TRALI).[4][5][6] Non-immunologic reactions are usually caused by the physical effects of blood components or the transmission of disease. Bacterial contamination, for example, results in septic transfusion reactions and is caused by bacterial and/or endotoxin contamination of a blood product. This may happen at the time of collection due to inadequate blood donor arm disinfection, the presence of bacteria in the donor’s circulation at the time of collection, or due to improper product handling after collection. Transfusion reactions can also occur unrelated to factors intrinsic to the blood. Examples of these include transfusion-associated volume overload (TACO) and hypothermia. EpidemiologyTransfusion reactions range in frequency from relatively common, (mild allergic and febrile non-hemolytic reactions) to rare (anaphylaxis, acute hemolytic, and sepsis). Fatal adverse events have been reported to occur most commonly with TRALI, and long-term or later adverse events are typically the result of disease transmission. The severity and incidence vary depending on the type of transfusion reaction, the prevalence of disease in the donor population, and the extent of follow-up care the patient receives. Due to advances in donor screening, improved testing, and automated data systems, the risks and fatalities associated with the transfusion of blood products continue to decrease.[7][8] PathophysiologyThe pathophysiology varies based on the transfusion reaction.[9][10][11] Acute Transfusion Reactions
Delayed Transfusion Reactions
History and PhysicalA thorough understanding of the patient’s medical history and state of health is needed before the transfusion is started. Vital signs are monitored and typically recorded at 15-minute intervals. A small amount of change in vital signs during transfusion may be considered “normal.” These changes may include the following: plus or minus 0.5 C in temperature, plus or minus 5 respirations per minute, plus or minus 10 beats per minute in heart rate, and plus or minus 20 mm Hg in blood pressure. It is important to note that changes greater than these parameters do not mean that there is a transfusion reaction, it suggests that the bedside nurse should be extra vigilant in monitoring for a reaction. Abnormal responses include hives, itching, fever greater than 1 C above the temperature at the start of transfusion, chills, hypotension, and dyspnea. EvaluationDiagnosis of acute transfusion reactions begins by recognition of the signs and symptoms by the bedside. Common signs and symptoms and differential diagnosis are listed below.[12][13][14]
Urticaria (hives) and/or itching can be the presenting sign of a mild allergic reaction, but can also be associated with the onset of a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. The transfusion should be stopped, and the patient should be carefully monitored for progression of symptoms.
Fever and/or chills are most commonly associated with a febrile, non-hemolytic reaction, however; they can also be the first sign of a more serious acute hemolytic reaction, TRALI, or septic transfusion reaction. If the temperature rises 1 C or higher from the temperature at the start of transfusion, the transfusion should be stopped. Acute hemolytic reaction or bacterial contamination should be suspected if there is a greater rise in temperature, or more serious symptoms (e.g., rigors).
Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is a concerning sign that can often be seen with more severe reactions including anaphylaxis, TRALI, and TACO. It can also be seen by itself without accompanying symptoms.
Hypotension can be seen with an acute hemolytic reaction, septic transfusion reactions, anaphylaxis, and TRALI. They have also been reported without the presence of any other associated transfusion reaction.
Hypothermia can be seen with large volume transfusions of refrigerated products. The only intervention needed is warming the patient and/or blood product. Treatment / ManagementWhen a transfusion reaction is suspected, the transfusion should be immediately stopped, and the intravenous line should be kept open using appropriate fluids (usually 0.9% saline). A clerical check should be performed by examining the product bag and confirming the patient’s identification. The patient’s vital signs should be monitored and recorded at 15-minute intervals. A post-transfusion blood sample should be drawn and sent to the lab, in addition to sending the bag and tubing if possible. The blood bank generally completes additional testing and clerical checks to rule out an incompatible transfusion. Treatment of specific transfusion reactions is most often supportive. For example, antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine) can be given for a mild allergic reaction, or an antipyretic can be given for a non-hemolytic febrile transfusion reaction.[9][15] Differential Diagnosis
Complications
Pearls and Other IssuesTransfusion reactions are influenced by many factors including the type of component being transfused, the storage requirements, and the patient’s co-morbid conditions at the time of transfusion. Understanding how to quickly identify transfusion reactions and appropriately manage and treat the patient ensures optimal patient care. Enhancing Healthcare Team OutcomesBlood transfusions are often necessary in medicine, and all healthcare workers have to be familiar with transfusion reactions. Patient on any ward can receive a blood transfusion and similarly all nurses have to know the potential complications and how to manage them. The majority of blood transfusion reactions occur because of a clerical/nursing error. While some reactions can be severe and lead to death, many transfusion reactions are benign. Anaphylactic reactions from a blood transfusion are very rare but often result in a fatality. Other reactions include TRALI which ranges from 1-9% and often requires intensive pulmonary support to prevent a fatal outcome. The incidence of bacterial contamination is rare but can occur from both gram-negative and gram-positive organisms. The key to reducing the morbidity is vigilance on the part of the nurse. During the patient medical history, one should ask about prior transfusions and any complications. If there is ever any doubt about the patient's blood group or the blood type being administered, the laboratory should be asked to reconfirm the status.[16][17] (Level V) Review QuestionsFigureTransfusion Reaction Signs and Symptoms. Kendall Crookston MD PhD Professor, Pathology and Medicine University of New Mexico School of Medicine FigureCauses of transfusion reactions. Jolee Suddock, D.O. Pathology Resident, PGY-1 University of New Mexico References1.Sirianni G, Perri G, Callum J, Gardner S, Berall A, Selby D. A Retrospective Chart Review of Transfusion Practices in the Palliative Care Unit Setting. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2019 Mar;36(3):185-190. [PubMed: 30336680] 2.McClosky ME, Cimino Brown D, Weinstein NM, Chappini N, Taney MT, Marryott K, Callan MB. Prevalence of naturally occurring non-AB blood type incompatibilities in cats and influence of crossmatch on transfusion outcomes. J Vet Intern Med. 2018 Nov;32(6):1934-1942. [PMC free article: PMC6271279] [PubMed: 30307648] 3.Land KJ, Townsend M, Goldman M, Whitaker BI, Perez GE, Wiersum-Osselton JC. International validation of harmonized definitions for complications of blood donations. Transfusion. 2018 Nov;58(11):2589-2595. [PubMed: 30294786] 4.Aubron C, Aries P, Le Niger C, Sparrow RL, Ozier Y. How clinicians can minimize transfusion-related adverse events? Transfus Clin Biol. 2018 Nov;25(4):257-261. [PubMed: 30197000] 5.Jasinski S, Glasser CL. Catastrophic Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction in a Patient With Sickle Cell Disease Without Alloantibodies: Case Report and Review of Literature. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2019 Nov;41(8):624-626. [PubMed: 30179992] 6.Erony SM, Marshall CE, Gehrie EA, Boyd JS, Ness PM, Tobian AAR, Carroll KC, Blagg L, Shifflett L, Bloch EM. The epidemiology of bacterial culture-positive and septic transfusion reactions at a large tertiary academic center: 2009 to 2016. Transfusion. 2018 Aug;58(8):1933-1939. [PubMed: 30153333] 7.Py JY, Cabezon B, Sapey T, Jutant T. Unacknowledged adverse transfusion reactions: Are they a mine to dig? Transfus Clin Biol. 2018 Feb;25(1):63-72. [PubMed: 28690037] 8.Jacquot C, Delaney M. Efforts Toward Elimination of Infectious Agents in Blood Products. J Intensive Care Med. 2018 Oct;33(10):543-550. [PubMed: 29562814] 9.Siddon AJ, Kenney BC, Hendrickson JE, Tormey CA. Delayed haemolytic and serologic transfusion reactions: pathophysiology, treatment and prevention. Curr Opin Hematol. 2018 Nov;25(6):459-467. [PubMed: 30124474] 10.Tariket S, Sut C, Hamzeh-Cognasse H, Laradi S, Garraud O, Cognasse F. Platelet and TRALI: From blood component to organism. Transfus Clin Biol. 2018 Sep;25(3):204-209. [PubMed: 29631963] 11.Scher CS. Trauma and transfusion in the geriatric patient. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2018 Apr;31(2):238-242. [PubMed: 29389749] 12.Garraud O, Cognasse F, Laradi S, Hamzeh-Cognasse H, Peyrard T, Tissot JD, Fontana S. How to mitigate the risk of inducing transfusion-associated adverse reactions. Transfus Clin Biol. 2018 Nov;25(4):262-268. [PubMed: 30139570] 13.Fasano RM, Meyer EK, Branscomb J, White MS, Gibson RW, Eckman JR. Impact of Red Blood Cell Antigen Matching on Alloimmunization and Transfusion Complications in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review. Transfus Med Rev. 2019 Jan;33(1):12-23. [PubMed: 30122266] 14.Strasser E. [The new hemotherapy guideline]. Unfallchirurg. 2018 May;121(5):423-428. [PubMed: 29654513] 15.Long B, Koyfman A. Emergency Medicine Evaluation and Management of Anemia. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2018 Aug;36(3):609-630. [PubMed: 30037447] 16.Carman M, Uhlenbrock JS, McClintock SM. CE: A Review of Current Practice in Transfusion Therapy. Am J Nurs. 2018 May;118(5):36-44. [PubMed: 29664740] 17.DeLisle J. Is This a Blood Transfusion Reaction? Don't Hesitate; Check It Out. J Infus Nurs. 2018 Jan/Feb;41(1):43-51. [PubMed: 29293197] Which identification means should the nurse use to ensure that a blood transfusion is administered to the correct client quizlet?How does the nurse ensure proper client identification? With another registered nurse, verify the client by name and number, check blood compatibility, and note expiration time. Human error is the most common cause of ABO incompatibility reactions, even for experienced nurses.
What are the identification and checks a nurse must complete before a blood transfusion?Two RNs at the patient's bedside must verify the below: Physician's order with patient identification compared to the blood bank's documentation. Patient's name, date of birth, and medical record number. Patient's blood type versus the donor's blood type and Rh-factor compatibility.
Which is the correct nursing procedure for administering a blood transfusion?Nursing Interventions. Verify doctor's order. ... . Check for cross matching and typing. ... . Obtain and record baseline vital signs.. Practice strict asepsis.. At least 2 licensed nurse check the label of the blood transfusion. ... . Warm blood at room temperature before transfusion to prevent chills.. Identify client properly.. How do you check that blood products are the correct product for the client?Blood bank scientists must know they are issuing to the correct patient and require complete patient identification.. Identification band.. Blood product tag attached to blood product.. EMR order.. |