Question

A nurse is assessing a client who received 2 units of packed RBCs 48 hrs ago. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the therapy has been effective?

A. Hemoglobin 14.9 g/dL
B. Potassium 4.1
C. Sodium chloride 140
D. Ammonia 31

Answer 1

An effective therapy using packed RBCs is indicated by an improved hemoglobin level. A hemoglobin level of 14.9 g/dL, 48 hours post-transfusion, shows that the treatment was successful as it falls within the normal hemoglobin range.

Step-by-step explanation:

The effectiveness of blood transfusion therapy using packed red blood cells (RBCs) can be assessed primarily by measuring the patient's hemoglobin levels. Among the options provided, a hemoglobin level of 14.9 g/dL indicates that the therapy has been effective, as the normal range for hemoglobin is generally considered to be around 13.8 to 17.2 g/dL for men and 12.1 to 15.1 g/dL for women. Therefore, this value signifies an improvement in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, likely due to the successful transfusion of RBCs.

Other values such as potassium (K), sodium chloride (NaCl), and ammonia are important for assessing other aspects of physiology but are not direct indicators of the efficacy of RBC transfusion. The normal potassium level is stated to be between 14-20 mg/100 ml, so a result showing potassium 4.1 would not necessarily confirm the success of the transfusion, as it is not indicative of the hemoglobin level directly.