Blood transfusion therapy

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BLOOD TRANSFUSION THERAPY

Dr. Jayesh V. Patidarwww.drjayeshpatidar.blogspot.com

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Blood Transfusion TherapyBlood transfusion therapy involves transfusing whole blood or blood components (specific portion or fraction of blood lacking in patient). One unit of whole blood consists of 450 mL of blood collected into 60 to 70 mL of preservative or anticoagulant. Whole blood stored for more than 6 hours does not provide therapeutic platelet transfusion, nor does it contain therapeutic amounts of labile coagulation factors (factors V and VIII).

Blood components include:

1. Packed RBCs (100% of erythrocyte, 100% of leukocytes, and 20% of plasma originally present in one unit of whole blood), indicated to increase the oxygen- carrying capacity of blood with minimal expansion of blood.

2. Leukocyte-poor packed RBCs, indicated for patients who have experience previous febrile no hemolytic reactions.

3. Platelets, either HLA (human leukocyte antigen) matched or unmatched.4. Granulocytes ( basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils )5. Fresh frozen plasma, containing all coagulation factors, including factors V and

VIII (the labile factors).

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6. Single donor plasma, containing all stable coagulation factors but reduced levels of factors V and VIII; the preferred product for reversal of Coumadin-induced anticoagulation.

7. Albumin, a plasma protein.8. Cryoprecipitate, a plasma derivative rich in factor VIII, fibrinogen, factor XIII, and

fibronectin.9. Factor IX concentrate, a concentrated form of factor IX prepared by pooling,

fractionating, and freeze-drying large volumes of plasma.10. Factor VIII concentrate, a concentrated form of factor IX prepared by

pooling,fractionating, and freeze-drying large volumes of plasma.

11. Prothrombin complex, containing prothrombin and factors VII, IX, X, and some factor XI.

Advantages of blood component therapy

12. Avoids the risk of sensitizing the patients to other blood components.13. Provides optimal therapeutic benefit while reducing risk of volume overload.14. Increases availability of needed blood products to larger population.

Principles of blood transfusion therapy

15. Whole blood transfusiono Generally indicated only for patients who need both increased oxygen-

carrying capacity and restoration of blood volume when there is no time to prepare or obtain the specific blood components needed.

16. Packed RBCso Should be transfused over 2 to 3 hours; if patient cannot tolerate volume

over a maximum of 4 hours, it may be necessary for the blood bank todivide a unit into smaller volumes, providing proper refrigeration of remaining blood until needed. One unit of packed red cells should raise hemoglobin approximately 1%, hemactocrit 3%.

3. Plateletso Administer as rapidly as tolerated (usually 4 units every 30 to 60 minutes).

EaĐh uŶit of platelets should raise the reĐipieŶt’s platelet ĐouŶt ďǇ 6000 to 10,000/mm3: however, poor incremental increases occur with


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alloimmunization from previous transfusions, bleeding, fever, infection, autoimmune destruction, and hypertension.

4. Granulocyteso May be beneficial in selected population of infected, severely

granulocytopenic patients (less than 500/mm3) not responding to antibiotic therapy and who are expected to experienced prolonged suppressed granulocyte production.

5. Plasmao Because plasma carries a risk of hepatitis equal to that of whole blood,

if only volume expansion is required, other colloids (e.g., albumin) orelectrolyte solutions (e.g., RiŶger’s laĐtateͿ are preferred. Fresh frozeŶ plasma should be administered as rapidly as tolerated because coagulation factors become unstable after thawing.

6. Albumino Indicated to expand to blood volume of patients in hypovolemic shock and

to elevate level of circulating albumin in patients with hypoalbuminemia. The large protein molecule is a major contributor to plasma oncotic pressure.

7. Cryoprecipitateo IŶdiĐated for treatŵeŶt of heŵophilia A, VoŶ WilleďraŶd’s disease,

disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and uremic bleeding.8. Factor IX concentrate

o Indicated for treatment of hemophilia B; carries a high risk of hepatitis because it requires pooling from many donors.

9. Factor VIII concentrateo Indicated for treatment of hemophilia A; heat-treated product decreases

the risk of hepatitis and HIV transmission.10.Prothrombin complex-Indicated in congenital or acquired deficiencies of these

factors.

Objectives

11.To increase circulating blood volume after surgery, trauma, or hemorrhage12.To increase the number of RBCs and to maintain hemoglobin levels in clients with

severe anemia


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3. To provide selected cellular components as replacements therapy (e.g. clotting factors, platelets, albumin)

Nursing Interventions

1. VerifǇ doĐtor’s order. IŶforŵ the ĐlieŶt aŶd eǆplaiŶ the purpose of the procedure.

2. Check for cross matching and typing. To ensure compatibility3. Obtain and record baseline vital signs4. Practice strict Asepsis5. At least 2 licensed nurse check the label of the blood transfusion

o Check the following: Serial number Blood component Blood type Rh factor Expiration date Screening test (VDRL, HBsAg, malarial smear) – *this is to ensure

that the blood is free from blood-carried diseases and therefore, safe from transfusion.

6. Warm blood at room temperature before transfusion to prevent chills.7. IdeŶtifǇ ĐlieŶt properlǇ. Tǁ o Nurses ĐheĐk the ĐlieŶt’s ideŶtifiĐatioŶ.8. Use needle gauge 18 to 19. This allows easy flow of blood.9. Use BT set with special micron mesh filter. To prevent administration of blood

clots and particles.10. Start infusion slowly at 10 gtts/min. Remain at bedside for 15 to 30 minutes.

Adverse reaction usually occurs during the first 15 to 20 minutes.11. Monitor vital signs. Altered vital signs indicate adverse reaction.12. Do not mix medications with blood transfusion. To prevent adverse effects

o Do not incorporate medication into the blood transfusiono Do not use blood transfusion lines for IV push of medication.

13. Administer 0.9% NaCl before; during or after BT. Never administer IV fluids with dextrose. Dextrose causes hemolysis.

14. Administer BT for 4 hours (whole blood, packed RBC). For plasma, platelets, cryoprecipitate, transfuse quickly (20 minutes) clotting factor can easily be destroyed.

15. Observe for potential complications. Notify physician.


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Complications of Blood Transfusion

1. Allergic Reaction – it is caused by sensitivity to plasma protein of donor antibody, which reacts with recipient antigen.

o Assessments: Flushing Rush, hives Pruritus Laryngeal edema, difficulty of breathing

2. Febrile, Non-Hemolytic – it is caused by hypersensitivity to donor white cells,platelets or plasma proteins. This is the most symptomatic complication of blood transfusion

o Assessments: Sudden chills and fever Flushing Headache Anxiety

3. Septic Reaction – it is caused by the transfusion of blood or components contaminated with bacteria.

o Assessment: Rapid onset of chills Vomiting Marked Hypotension High fever

4. Circulatory Overload – it is caused by administration of blood volume at a rate greater than the circulatory system can accommodate.

o Assessment: Rise in venous pressure Dyspnea Crackles or rales Distended neck vein Cough Elevated BP

5. Hemolytic reaction. It is caused by infusion of incompatible blood products.o Assessment:

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Low back pain (first sign). This is due to inflammatory response of the kidneys to incompatible blood.

Chills Feeling of fullness Tachycardia Flushing Tachypnea Hypotension Bleeding Vascular collapse Acute renal failure

Assessment findings

1. Clinical manifestations of transfusions complications vary depending on the precipitating factor.

2. Signs and symptoms of hemolytic transfusion reaction include:o Fever

o Chillso low back pain

o flank pain o

headache o

nauseao flushingo tachycard

iao tachypne

ao hypotensi

ono hemoglo

binuria (cola-colored urine)

3. Clinical signs and laboratory findings in delayed hemolytic reaction include:

o fevero mild

jaundiceo gradual

fall of hemoglobin

o positiǀe Cooŵďs’ test

4. Febrile non-hemolytic reaction is marked by:

o Temperature rise during or shortly after transfusion

o Chills

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o headacheo flushingo anxiety

5. Signs and symptoms of septic reaction include;o Rapid onset of high fever and chillso vomitingo diarrheao marked hypotension

6. Allergic reactions may produce:o hiveso generalized prurituso wheezing or anaphylaxis (rarely)

7. Signs and symptoms of circulatory overload include:o Dyspneao cougho raleso jugular vein distention

8. Manifestations of infectious disease transmitted through transfusion may develop rapidly or insidiously, depending on the disease.

9. Characteristics of GVH disease include:o skin changes (e.g. erythema, ulcerations, scaling)o edemao hair losso hemolytic anemia

10.Reactions associated with massive transfusion produce varying manifestations

Possible Nursing Diagnosis

11. Ineffective breathing pattern

12.Decreased Cardiac Output

13.Fluid Volume Deficit14.Fluid Volume Excess15. Impaired Gas Exchange16.Hyperthermia17.Hypothermia18.High Risk for Infection


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9. High Risk for Injury10. Pain11. Impaired Skin Integrity12.Altered Tissue Perfusion

Planning and Implementation

13.Help prevent transfusion reaction by:o Meticulously verifying patient identification beginning with type and cross

match sample collection and labeling to double check blood product and patient identification prior to transfusion.

o Inspecting the blood product for any gas bubbles, clothing, or abnormal color before administration.

o Beginning transfusion slowly ( 1 to 2 mL/min) and observing the patient closely, particularly during the first 15 minutes (severe reactions usually manifest within 15 minutes after the start of transfusion).

o Transfusing blood within 4 hours, and changing blood tubing every 4 hours to minimize the risk of bacterial growth at warm room temperatures.

o Preventing infectious disease transmission through careful donorscreening or performing pretest available to identify selected infectious agents.

o Preventing GVH disease by ensuring irradiation of blood products containing viaďle WBC’s ;i.e., ǁhole ďlood, platelets, paĐked RBC’s aŶd granulocytes) before transfusion; irradiation alters ability of donor lymphocytes to engraft and divide.

o Preventing hypothermia by warming blood unit to 37 C before transfusion.

o Removing leukocytes and platelets aggregates from donor blood by installing a microaggregate filter (20-40-um size) in the blood line toremove these aggregates during transfusion.

2. On detecting any signs or symptoms of reaction:o Stop the transfusion immediately, and notify the physician.o Disconnect the transfusion set-but keep the IV line open with 0.9% saline

to provide access for possible IV drug infusion.o Send the blood bag and tubing to the blood bank for repeat typing

and culture.o Draw another blood sample for plasma hemoglobin, culture, and

retyping.


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o Collect a urine sample as soon as possible for hemoglobin determination.

3. Intervene as appropriate to address symptoms of the specific reaction:o Treatment for hemolytic reaction is directed at correcting hypotension,

DIC, and renal failure associated with RBC hemolysis and hemoglobinuria.o Febrile, nonhemolytic transfusion reactions are treated symptomatically

with antipyretics; leukocyte-poor blood products may be recommended for subsequent transfusions.

o In septic reaction, treat septicemia with antibiotics, increased hydration, steroids and vasopressors as prescribed.

o Intervene for allergic reaction by administering antihistamines, steroidsand epinephrine as indicated by the severity of the reaction. (If hives are the only manifestation, transfusion can sometimes continue but at a slower rate.)

o For circulatory overload, immediate treatment includes positioning the patient upright with feet dependent; diuretics, oxygen and aminophylline may be prescribed.

Nursing Interventions when complications occurs in Blood transfusion

4. If blood transfusion reaction occurs. STOP THE TRANSFUSION.5. Start IV line (0.9% Na Cl)6. PlaĐe the ĐlieŶt iŶ foǁ l er’s positioŶ if ǁ ith SOB aŶd adŵiŶister O2 therapǇ.7. The nurse remains with the client, observing signs and symptoms and monitoring

vital signs as often as every 5 minutes.8. Notify the physician immediately.9. The nurse prepares to administer emergency drugs such as antihistamines,

ǀasopressor, fluids, aŶd steroids as per phǇsiĐiaŶ’s order or protocol.7. Obtain a urine specimen and send to the laboratory to determine presence of

hemoglobin as a result of RBC hemolysis.8. Blood container, tubing, attached label, and transfusion record are saved and

returned to the laboratory for analysis.

Evaluation

9. The patient maintains normal breathing pattern.10.The patient demonstrates adequate cardiac output.


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3. The patient reports minimal or no discomfort.4. The patient maintains good fluid balance.5. The patient remains normothermic.6. The patient remains free of infection.7. The patient maintains good skin integrity, with no lesions or pruritus.8. The patient maintains or returns to normal electrolyte and blood chemistry

values.


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Blood transfusion therapy