When a patient's adverse reaction to a blood transfusion is differentiated,which of the following signs/symptoms indicates the presence of an anaphylactic response?

A) Wheezing and chest pain
B) Headache and muscle pain
C) Hypotension and tingling of the extremities
D) Crackles in the lungs and increased central venous pressure

Question

Rhiannon Adams · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : A, Explanation :  Observe the patient for wheezing,chest pain,and possible cardiac arrest.All of these are indications of an anaphylactic reaction.Be alert to patient complaints of headache or muscle pain in the presence of a fever.Both may be indicative of a febrile nonhemolytic reaction.Observe patients receiving massive transfusions for mild hypothermia,cardiac dysrhythmias,hypotension,and hypocalcemia.Cold blood products can affect the cardiac conduction system,resulting in ventricular dysrhythmias.Other cardiac dysrhythmias,hypotension,and tingling may indicate hypocalcemia,which occurs when citrate (used as a preservative for some blood products)combines with the patient's calcium.Crackles in the bases of lungs and rising central venous pressure (CVP)are indications of circulatory overload.

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