Blood Transfusions

🩸 Blood Transfusions Study Guide

🔁 Steps for Blood Transfusion

1. ✅ Patient Identification – Double-check the ID band!

2. 🧪 Verify Blood Products

3. ✍ Informed Consent

4. 🧼 Preparation – Equipment, explanation, environment

5. 🫀 Baseline Assessment – Vitals & any abnormal findings

6. 💉 Insert IV Line

7. 🩸 Initiate Transfusion

8. 📊 Monitor Vitals – Q15min initially!

9. 🧾 Post-Assessment – Watch for reactions!

10. 🗑 Dispose of Equipment

11. 🖊 Document Everything

🛠 Administration Tips

• Use 20G IV (18G if rapid infusion needed)

• Use 0.9% NaCl only (NO dextrose/LR!)

• Special Y tubing with inline filter

• RN must stay for 15 min — most reactions occur early!

• If no reaction, increase rate after 15 min.

🚨 Important Reminders

• Filter all blood (catches clots & cell fragments)

• Use blood within:

  • 4 hrs of hanging

  • 30 mins of removing from blood bank

• ❄ Stored blood lasts 72 hrs

• Only RN can start the transfusion!

• Use only compatible solutions (NS)

🧬 Types of Blood Products

💡 Memory Tip:
Whole = Whole mix (RBCs + WBCs + platelets)
RBCs = Resuscitate oxygen
Plasma = Protein powerhouse
Platelets = Plug the leak

⚠ Transfusion Reactions Study Guide

🩻 What’s a Transfusion Reaction?

A severe immune response to mismatched or contaminated blood products (can be allergic, febrile, or hemolytic).

🚨 Signs & Symptoms (Know These Cold!)

• ⬆ HR (Tachycardia)

• ⬇ BP (Hypotension)

• ⬆ Temp (Fever)

• 🩹 Itching, rash, urticaria

• 😖 Nausea, back pain

• 🥶 Chills, flushing

• 😰 Anxiety

• 🧠 Headache

🧑‍⚕ Nursing Interventions

• STOP the transfusion immediately

• ✅ Keep IV open with 0.9% NaCl

• 📞 Notify HCP & Blood Bank

• 🔄 Change IV tubing down to the site

• 🧍‍♀ Don’t leave pt alone — assess ABCs

• ✍ Document and monitor reactions closely

❗Types of Adverse Reactions

💀 Hemolytic Reaction (“BLOOD BAD”)

• 🔺 Back pain

• ❄ Chills, Fever

• ⚡️ Tachycardia

• 🔻 Low BP

• 🧃 Dark urine

🌸 Allergic Reaction (“HIVES”)

• Hives, swelling

• 🤮 Vomiting

• ❤ Elevated HR

• 😤 Shortness of Breath

🌡 Febrile Reaction (“FEVER”)

• 😳 Flushing, chills

• 🔥 Elevated temp

• 🧠 Headache

• 💓 Elevated HR

• 🤒 Shivering

🧠 Memory Tip:

• Hemolytic = Hemorrhage, High risk, fast action needed

• Allergic = like allergy to food — rash + swelling

• Febrile = Fever + chills = mild but still report!

🧠 QUICK ABC Checklist for Reactions:

• A – Assess Compatibility + Airway

• B – Bring emergency supplies

• C – Check vitals & appearance before, during, after