Blood Administration and Transfusion Nursing Practice

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental concepts, safety protocols, typing, and adverse reactions associated with blood administration.

Blood Transfusion

The administration of plasma, red blood cells, cryoprecipitate, or platelets directly into a patient's venous circulation.

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

Blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to body tissues to maintain cellular metabolism and cellular integrity.

Cryoprecipitate

A blood component containing a concentrated amount of specific clotting proteins that assist in stopping bleeding.

Blood Typing

The laboratory process used to determine the specific blood group type and Rh factor of a sample of blood.

Cross-matching

A final check for incompatibility where the recipient's serum or plasma is mixed with donor red blood cells to check for adverse reactions.

Rh Factor

An inherited protein antigen found on red blood cells, with the D antigen being the primary concern in blood transfusions.

Agglutination

The clumping of red blood cells caused when multi-armed antibodies attach to multiple cell antigens, which can block blood vessels.

Universal Recipient

Individuals with Type AB blood, who lack agglutinins for both A and B antigens and can receive blood of any ABO type.

Universal Donor

Individuals with Type O blood, whose red blood cells lack both A and B antigens and can be given to recipients of any ABO type.

Autologous Transfusion

A transfusion process where a patient donates their own blood in advance every 4 to 7 days to eliminate cross-infection and mismatch risks.

Intraoperative Blood Salvage

An autologous transfusion technique used during surgery to collect a patient's own blood from suction canisters, tubes, and drains for reinfusion.

Two-RN Verification

A mandatory pretransfusion check performed by two registered nurses in the patient's presence to verify patient identity, blood product, ABO/Rh compatibility, unit number, and expiration date.

0.9% Sodium Chloride

The only solution permitted to be infused or mixed with blood or blood component administration sets.

Transfusion Maximum Time

The INS standard requiring that the administration of a blood or blood component unit be completed within 4 hours.

Initial Transfusion Rate Monitoring

Starting nonemergent transfusions slowly, as major transfusion reactions usually manifest before the first 50 mL have been transfused.

Vital Signs Schedule (Transfusion)

Protocols requiring vital sign checks within 30 minutes prior, 15 minutes after initiation, upon completion, and 1 hour post-completion.

Allergic Transfusion Reaction

A reaction caused by allergy to transfused blood, presenting with hives, itching, and anaphylaxis; requires stopping infusion and administering parenteral antihistamines.

Febrile Transfusion Reaction

A reaction characterized by fever, chills, headache, and malaise during infusion; managed by stopping the transfusion, keeping the vein open with normal saline, and treating symptoms.

Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction

A severe reaction caused by blood product incompatibility, presenting with immediate onset, facial flushing, fever, chills, headache, low back pain, and shock.

Circulatory Overload

A complication caused by administering excessive blood volume, characterized by dyspnea, dry cough, and pulmonary edema; treated by slowing/stopping infusion and placing patient upright with feet dependent.

Bacterial Transfusion Reaction

A reaction resulting from bacteria present in the blood, characterized by fever, hypertension, dry flushed skin, and abdominal pain; managed by stopping infusion, obtaining blood cultures, and giving antibiotics.