GI Bleeding and Blood Transfusion Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, definitions, clinical manifestations, and procedural protocols for GI bleeding, acute abdomen, hypovolemic shock, and blood product transfusions.

Esophageal Varices

Abnormal, enlarged veins that develop when blood flow to the liver is blocked by a clot or scar tissue in the liver.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

An upper endoscopy diagnostic and therapeutic procedure used for upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Mucosal inflammation and ulceration affecting the stomach (gastric), esophagus, or small intestine (duodenal).

Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding

Bleeding usually originating from the large bowel or rectum, presenting with bright red blood, painless bleeding, pallor, fatigue, and hypotension as a late sign.

Mesenteric Artery Obstruction

A vascular obstruction caused by an emboli or atherosclerosis that cuts off blood supply to the intestine, causing tissue necrosis or "dead gut".

Hypovolemic Shock

The most common type of shock caused by a reduction in intravascular volume by 15% to 30% (approximate loss of 750 to 1,500 mL of blood in a 70-kg person).

Blood Bank Specimen Labeling Rules

Mandatory bedside labeling in the presence of the patient containing three identifiers (name, DOB, MR#), collection date and time, and the full legible signature of the collector.

Transfusionists

Personnel authorized to administer blood or blood products, limited to RNs, physicians, advanced practice professionals (e.g., physician assistants, nurse practitioners), and perfusionists.

Transfusion Timeframe Protocol

The standard requiring a blood transfusion to be started within 30 minutes of release from the Blood Bank, requiring the transfusionist to stay for the first 15 minutes, and completing infusion within 4 hours.

Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overload (TACO)

An adverse transfusion effect characterized by cardiovascular overload, particularly in patients with heart failure, COPD, renal failure, liver failure, advanced age, or high volume transfusions.

Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)

An adverse transfusion effect characterized by pulmonary edema, hypoxemia, respiratory distress, and pulmonary infiltrates.

Immediate Action for Suspected Transfusion Reaction

Stop the transfusion immediately by clamping the blood tubing without needing a physician's order.