Question

A client is to recieve a transfusion of packed red blood cells. which solution would the nurse use to prime the blood iv tubing?

A) Normal saline
B) Lactated Ringer's solution
C) 5% dextrose in water
D) Packed red blood cells (PRBCs)

Answer 1

Normal saline is the appropriate isotonic solution to use for priming blood IV tubing before a transfusion of packed red blood cells to maintain the integrity of the red blood cells. Therefore, the correct option is a.

Step-by-step explanation:

A client is to receive a transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs). The nurse would use normal saline to prime the blood IV tubing. Normal saline is isotonic, which is important to maintain the osmolarity and thus the integrity of the red blood cells. Using a solution that isn't isotonic, such as a hypotonic solution, would cause red blood cells to swell and potentially burst, while a hypertonic solution would cause them to shrink. Lactated Ringer's solution, although also isotonic, typically contains other ions and is not used for priming blood transfusion sets. Dextrose solutions can have adverse effects on the blood cells, and PRBCs are what is to be transfused, not used for priming.