A 64-year-old male client has been scheduled to undergo surgery for a total knee replacement. The client would like to be able to use his own blood for the surgery, if needed

Question

The nurse explains that there are several advantages to the client's having an autologous infusion, but there are some drawbacks as well. Which of the following would be considered a drawback to an autologous infusion?
1. The client has a decreased risk for contracting HIV.
2. There is an decreased risk for infection.
3. The client has less risk for a transfusion reaction.
4. The client may have a decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit level on the day of surgery.

Answer 1

ANS: 4
The client must plan ahead in plenty of time in order to be able to donate his own blood. In addi-tion, the client who does self-donation sometimes exhibits a lower hemoglobin and hematocrit level on the day of surgery. Autologous infusions are an option for some clients who choose to donate their own blood before surgery to reduce the risk for transfusion-related infections. The client is at less risk for a transfusion reaction because it is his own blood. There is a lowered risk for infection because the blood is from the client.