Blood Transfusion Case Study

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Introduction
Blood transfusions serve a key function in saving lives within hospitals. Health professionals use them to substitute blood loss during a surgery or following a serious injury to a patient. Blood transfusions also contribute to boosting the body’s health and preventing further bleeding by giving patients blood rich in nutrients and coagulation factors. A small needle inserted into the intravenous system of patients helps deliver healthy blood to them, and the process may take one to four hours depending on the amount of blood a patient needs. Three types of blood transfusions are common: red blood cell, platelets and clotting factor, and plasma. Each has its own benefits and risks. Analyzing the different types of blood transfusions …show more content…

Contingent upon the strategy used to transfuse blood into a patient, the risk of infection exists. Holst et al. (2015) identify two types of red blood cell transfusions: the restrictive and the liberal transfusion. Restrictive blood transfusions occur when hemoglobin levels fall below seven grams per deciliter while the liberal transfusion happens when they go below 10 grams per deciliter. Research has shown that the risk of infections is higher in instances of liberal transfusion strategies. For this reason, nursing students should beware of possible problems in red blood cells …show more content…

One of the risks associated with this type of transfusion arises from the storage of the blood known as transfusion-related immunomodulation (TRIM). Stored blood can develop non-soluble mediators that affect the body’s immunity. Thus, nurses should ensure the blood they intend to give patients was stored properly to guarantee its safety. In this way, they can lower the potential of infections during and after medical procedures, for instance, surgeries. Observing the recommended procedures of blood transfusions is especially important in pediatrics where the risk of hospital-related infections is significant (Muszynski,

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