Final answer:
To ensure proper client identification for a blood transfusion, the nurse must check the client's blood type, crossmatch it with the provider's orders, and verify this information with another nurse. The client's verbal statement of their blood type is not a reliable method, and while informed consent is necessary, it does not replace these checks.
Step-by-step explanation:
To ensure proper client identification when a nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion, specific procedures must be followed:
- Checking the client's blood type and crossmatching it against the provider's orders is fundamental to verify compatibility.
- Asking the client to state their blood type is not reliable and should not be used as a method of identification prior to blood administration.
- Comparing information on the blood product to the informed consent form is important, but it is not the primary method for ensuring the right match of blood type.
- Verification of the client and blood product information with another licensed nurse is a crucial final check before proceeding with the transfusion.
It is particularly essential that the nurse follows hospital protocols, which generally include comparing the blood unit's labeled blood type with the client's blood type, using pre-prepared antibodies for both ABO and Rh factors. In emergency situations where there is no time to determine the client's blood type, such as with severe hemorrhage, type O blood may be utilized because it is considered the universal donor type. However, in non-emergency situations, a proper crossmatch test is conducted to ensure compatibility and prevent potential life-threatening reactions.