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47. A patient is taken to the trauma unit after a motorcycle accident. It is estimated that he has lost 30% of his blood volume and he is in hypovolemic shock. The nurse anticipates a transfusion with which blood product?

User Ivan Xiao
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Final answer:

In a hypovolemic shock situation where a patient has lost significant blood volume, type O blood or packed RBCs are typically transfused due to its compatibility with all blood types, or a saline solution is used initially to maintain blood pressure until the transfusion.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient who has lost 30% of their blood volume and is in hypovolemic shock after a motorcycle accident would likely require a blood transfusion with either type O blood or packed red blood cells (RBCs). In emergency situations where the patient's blood type is not known, type O blood, specifically O negative, is typically used because it is considered the universal donor and is compatible with all other blood types, hence minimizing the risk of an immune reaction. If time allows for blood typing, the patient can be given a matching blood type to ensure compatibility and prevent hemolytic transfusion reaction. Furthermore, if type O blood is not available, or while waiting for the crossmatched blood, an intravenous administration of a saline solution may be given initially to provide fluids and electrolytes and help maintain blood pressure until the transfusion can take place. This is critical to address the circulatory shock and prevent the life-threatening positive feedback loop that could lead to the death of the patient.

User DerChris
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