A nurse has transfused a unit of packed RBCs, which has a 250-mL bag of 0.9% sodium chloride attached. The follow-up I.V. order is to hang a 1000-mL bag of 5% dextrose in water. Which steps should be taken by the nurse after completing the transfusion and initiating the next I.V. order?

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Before changing to the primary I.V. administration set, the nurse should flush the blood tubing with the 0.9% sodium chloride to ensure there is no residual blood in the line that could potentially cause a reaction or interfere with the administration of the dextrose solution. Aspirating the I.V. line and disconnecting the tubing while there is blood in the line are not safe practices as they can cause blood loss or air embolism. Infusing the remaining sodium chloride would be unnecessary as it is not part of the new I.V. order.

A Nurse Has Transfused a Unit of Packed RBCs, Which