Question

The nurse observes that a client whose blood type is AB-negative is receiving a transfusion of O-negative packed red blood cells. Which action should the nurse take?

Stop the transfusion immediately.

Administer prescribed diphenhydramine.

Continue to monitor the client.

Report the problem to the blood bank.

Answer 1

The nurse should stop the transfusion immediately if a client with AB-negative blood type is receiving O-negative packed red blood cells to avoid a potentially lethal immune response.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should stop the transfusion immediately if a client whose blood type is AB-negative is receiving a transfusion of O-negative packed red blood cells. Transfusing blood from a universal donor (O-negative) to a recipient with a different blood type can lead to a potentially lethal immune response called hemolytic transfusion reaction (HTR). This occurs when the recipient's antibodies react with the donor's antigens, causing the red blood cells to clump together and potentially damage the recipient's organs. To avoid transfusion reactions, it is crucial to transfuse only matching blood types whenever possible.