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Difficulty: EasyPharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

A nurse is preparing to administer a transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) to a client with severe anemia. Which of the following intravenous fluids should the nurse use to prime the blood administration tubing?

  1. 0.9% sodium chlorideAnswer
  2. B
    5% dextrose in water
  3. C
    Lactated Ringer's solution
  4. D
    0.45% sodium chloride

Answer

0.9% sodium chloride
Normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) is the only acceptable intravenous fluid to use for priming tubing and flushing lines during a blood transfusion. It is completely isotonic with red blood cells and contains no calcium, preventing both cellular hemolysis and clot formation within the administration set.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the prescribed therapy to be administered.
The nurse is preparing to administer packed red blood cells (PRBCs).
Identifying the specific biologic product is necessary to determine fluid compatibility requirements.
2
Determine the compatible intravenous fluid for blood transfusions.
0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is identified as the only safe choice.
Using any other fluid risks hemolysis or coagulation of the donor red blood cells.

Key Concept

Blood Product Administration Compatibility
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Topics

Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

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