Final answer:
To identify clients before administering blood, nurses should scan the client's identification band, compare identification numbers, and verify the blood type and Rh factor, but should not rely on clients stating their blood type. The use of commercial antibodies for blood typing is standard. If blood agglutinates with both anti-A and anti-B antibodies, it indicates blood type AB.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse is preparing to administer blood to a client, there are several critical steps that must be taken to ensure the client's safety. The identification process includes verifying the client using multiple methods:
- Scan the barcode on the client's identification band.
- Compare client identification number to the blood component tag number.
- Confirm the name and birth date of the client with the client’s identification band.
- Match the blood type and Rh factor from the blood unit with the patient’s medical records.
When determining a patient's blood type, the use of commercially prepared antibodies is a standard procedure. If the patient's blood agglutinates with anti-A antibody and anti-B antibody, this indicates that the patient has blood type AB. Additionally, for a complete identification, the blood should be tested with anti-Rh antibodies to determine the Rh factor.
It's important to note that asking clients to state their own blood type or any medical detail is not reliable and should not replace proper identification protocols. The client may be unaware or mistaken, which can lead to serious transfusion errors.