A patient on the medical unit is receiving a unit of PRBCs. Difficult IV access has necessitated a slow infusion rate and the nurse notes that the infusion began 4 hours ago. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
A) Apply an icepack to the blood that remains to be infused.
B) Discontinue the remainder of the PRBC transfusion and inform the physician.
C) Disconnect the bag of PRBCs, cool for 30 minutes and then administer.
D) Administer the remaining PRBCs by the IV direct (IV push) route.
Ans: B
Feedback:
Because of the risk of infection, a PRBC transfusion should not exceed 4 hours. Remaining blood should not be transfused, even if it is cooled. Blood is not administered by the IV direct route.
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