What vital assessment should a nurse conduct just before hanging a blood transfusion?

Conducting vital signs assessment just before hanging a blood transfusion is crucial in ensuring patient safety and monitoring for potential transfusion reactions. Taking baseline vital signs, such as temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, allows the nurse to establish what is normal for the patient. This information is essential for identifying any deviations that may occur during or after the transfusion, as such changes can indicate a transfusion reaction.

Additionally, monitoring vital signs at the start of the transfusion allows for a timely response to any adverse events. It is generally best practice to reassess vital signs at regular intervals throughout the transfusion, particularly during the first 15 minutes when most reactions are likely to occur.

While blood type confirmation is vital, as it ensures that the correct blood product is being administered, this step typically occurs before the transfusion process is initiated and is not something that is reassessed immediately before hanging the blood. Similarly, allergy testing and reviewing medical history are important steps in the transfusion process, but they are generally conducted prior to the immediate pre-transfusion period. In summary, assessing vital signs provides critical data to safeguard the patient during the blood transfusion process.