Blood Transfusion

Back to Nursing Practice

Question Received:

1. What observations should be carried out during a blood transfusion? I am a nurse doing research as I think we do too many.

Answer

What observations should be carried out during a blood transfusion? I am a nurse doing research as I think we do too many.

20th September 2024

From Colin Adams, Surgical Nurse:

In the hospital where I work, the following observations are carried out during the transfusion of blood and blood products:

• The temperature, pulse and blood pressure are taken and recorded both before and following the transfusion and at the commencement of each new unit of blood

• Fifteen minutes into the transfusion the pulse and temperature are taken and recorded

• Further clinical recordings are taken only if it is felt that signs of an adverse reaction are emerging

• Subjective observations continue throughout.

We shall look forward to hearing about the outcome of your research.

Suggested Reading

• Rowe, R., and Doughty, H. (2024) Observation and documentation of bedside blood transfusion. British Journal of Nursing, 9(16), 1054-1058.

Back to Nursing Practice