Blood Transfusions
Main Reasons for Blood Transfusions
What is Blood Transfusion?
● IV admin of whole blood or component of blood
○ RBC, plasma, platelets, cryoprecipitate (not common, only in critical)
○ Albumin (5% or 25%), IVIG, Rh IG, Prothrombin complex concentrate
Purpose
● Improve the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood or circulating blood volume -
Hemorrage problems
● Increase RBC and HGB - Anemic or Postop Surgery
● Provide cellular components (platelets, clotting factors, etc) - problems with
Clotting
Who/Indication?
● Acute blood loss
● Chronic anemia
● Cardiopulmonary compromise
● Disease or meds affect bone marrow
Explain the blood groups and types, understanding compatibilities for transfusion therapy
Rh Factor
● 2nd important factor in blood compatibility
● Presence of D antigen on the surface of RBC
● + for present
● - for absent
● The majority of the population is +
Blood Group and Types
● A antigen means = A blood type
● Type B has anti-A antibodies, mean it does not need type A blood
Autologous Transfusion
● What is? Collection of pt’s OWN blood < 5 weeks prior to surgery or salvaged
blood perioperatively and reinfused
● Why? Decreased risk of complications (mismatched blood) and decreased exposure
to blood-borne infectious agents
Nursing Role
Knowledge must be strong
● Why are you administering this?
● What are the side effects?
Ensure consent from pt, prep, hang, admin and monitor during blood therapy
● The number for adverse events?
Assess of pt, identifiers, transfusion - close monitoring
No room for errors
● Take time
● Being careful
Main Reasons for Blood Transfusions
What is Blood Transfusion?
● IV admin of whole blood or component of blood
○ RBC, plasma, platelets, cryoprecipitate (not common, only in critical)
○ Albumin (5% or 25%), IVIG, Rh IG, Prothrombin complex concentrate
Purpose
● Improve the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood or circulating blood volume -
Hemorrage problems
● Increase RBC and HGB - Anemic or Postop Surgery
● Provide cellular components (platelets, clotting factors, etc) - problems with
Clotting
Who/Indication?
● Acute blood loss
● Chronic anemia
● Cardiopulmonary compromise
● Disease or meds affect bone marrow
Explain the blood groups and types, understanding compatibilities for transfusion therapy
Rh Factor
● 2nd important factor in blood compatibility
● Presence of D antigen on the surface of RBC
● + for present
● - for absent
● The majority of the population is +
Blood Group and Types
● A antigen means = A blood type
● Type B has anti-A antibodies, mean it does not need type A blood
Autologous Transfusion
● What is? Collection of pt’s OWN blood < 5 weeks prior to surgery or salvaged
blood perioperatively and reinfused
● Why? Decreased risk of complications (mismatched blood) and decreased exposure
to blood-borne infectious agents
Nursing Role
Knowledge must be strong
● Why are you administering this?
● What are the side effects?
Ensure consent from pt, prep, hang, admin and monitor during blood therapy
● The number for adverse events?
Assess of pt, identifiers, transfusion - close monitoring
No room for errors
● Take time
● Being careful
