A patient receiving blood complains of dyspnea. The nurse auscultates the patient's lungs and finds crackles that were not present before the start of the transfusion. Which type of reaction should the nurse suspect?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of crackles in the lungs and dyspnea suggest fluid overload, which is a sign of circulatory overload reaction. This occurs when the volume of blood transfused exceeds the patient's circulatory capacity. Symptoms can include dyspnea, hypertension, bounding pulse, and coughing. Treatment may include slowing down or stopping the transfusion, administering diuretics, and providing supplemental oxygen.

A Patient Receiving Blood Complains of Dyspnea