A patient is receiving a transfusion of packed red blood cells. Ten minutes after the infusion begins, the patient reports low back pain and a headache. Which of these actions should the nurse take first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is experiencing symptoms of a possible transfusion reaction, such as a febrile reaction or a hemolytic reaction. The first action the nurse should take is to stop the blood infusion, which is the potential cause of the reaction. Once the blood infusion has been stopped, the nurse can assess the patient further and notify the physician if needed. Starting or preparing a new normal saline infusion may be necessary if the patient's condition warrants it, but stopping the blood infusion takes priority.

A Patient Is Receiving a Transfusion of Packed Red Blood