Blood Transfusion Procedure Overview | Blood Administration for Nurses

Summary

This video focuses on the essential aspects of blood product administration, explaining the three main types: Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC), Platelets (PLT), and Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP). It covers key clinical details such as indications for transfusion, vital numbers like hemoglobin and platelet counts, and specific guidelines for when to administer each type of blood product. The video also highlights transfusion reactions and explains critical concepts such as shock symptoms, thrombocytopenia, and clotting factors. Overall, it provides essential information for healthcare professionals to manage blood product transfusions and ensure patient safety.

Takeaways

• 😀 PRBCs (Packed Red Blood Cells) should be administered within 4 hours after being taken out of the fridge to treat low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
• 😀 A hemoglobin level less than 7 is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate blood transfusion to prevent shock and death.
• 😀 Platelets (PLT) are crucial for clotting and must be given within 30 minutes after being taken from the fridge.
• 😀 Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) provides clotting factors and should be given within 60 minutes to prevent bleeding.
• 😀 Hemoglobin levels of 8-11 should be reported to healthcare providers, especially before surgery.
• 😀 Shock symptoms include pale, cold, clammy skin and fatigue due to low blood pressure and oxygen perfusion.
• 😀 Blood loss from trauma, surgery, or anemia can lead to low blood count, requiring the administration of PRBCs.
• 😀 Platelets are essential for clotting, and a count below 150,000 indicates thrombocytopenia. A count below 50,000 is life-threatening.
• 😀 Fresh Frozen Plasma is vital for clients with hemophilia or liver failure, where clotting factors are deficient.
• 😀 Giving platelets to clients with hemophilia without FFP will not be effective since clotting factors (the 'glue') are needed to form a clot.

Q & A

What are the three types of blood products discussed in the script?

The three types of blood products discussed are Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC), Platelets (PLT), and Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP).

What is the maximum time limit for administering Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC) after removing them from the refrigerator?

PRBC must be administered within 4 hours after being taken out of the refrigerator.

What is the time limit for administering Platelets (PLT) after they are taken from the fridge?

Platelets must be administered within 30 minutes after being removed from the fridge.

What is the time limit for administering Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) after it is taken from the refrigerator?

FFP must be administered within 60 minutes after being taken from the fridge.

What hemoglobin level indicates a medical emergency and requires immediate blood transfusion?

A hemoglobin level less than 7 indicates a medical emergency and requires an immediate blood transfusion.

What signs and symptoms are associated with shock that nurses should be aware of?

The top signs and symptoms of shock are pale skin (or dusky skin), cold and clammy skin, and fatigue/weakness from low perfusion.

In the scenario of a child involved in a motor vehicle accident with symptoms of shock, what treatment should the nurse anticipate?

The nurse should anticipate administering Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs) to treat the child’s symptoms of shock.

How much will one unit of Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC) increase the hemoglobin level?

One unit of PRBCs will increase the hemoglobin level by 1.

What platelet count level is considered thrombocytopenia and increases the risk of severe bleeding?

A platelet count less than 150,000 is considered thrombocytopenia, and a count less than 50,000 is considered very risky and potentially deadly.

Why might administering platelets not help a client with hemophilia?

Administering platelets might not help a client with hemophilia because they lack the clotting factors (the 'glue') needed to bind the platelets together for clot formation.