What should nurses do immediately after noticing signs of a transfusion reaction?

When a nurse notices signs of a transfusion reaction, the immediate priority is to stop the transfusion and notify the physician. This action serves several critical purposes. First, stopping the transfusion helps prevent further exposure to the transfused blood, which could exacerbate the reaction and lead to more serious complications. Transfusion reactions can range from mild to life-threatening, so swift intervention is essential.

After ceasing the transfusion, the nurse should ensure proper patient care by keeping the intravenous (IV) line open, typically by using normal saline, for medication administration and further evaluation. Notifying the physician allows for appropriate medical intervention to address the reaction, monitor the patient’s condition, and initiate any required treatments, such as medication to treat allergic reactions or manage symptoms.

In this context, continuing the transfusion would place the patient at further risk, monitoring the temperature is important but not the immediate priority, and documenting the reaction only after the procedure is finished can delay necessary care and oversight. Therefore, stopping the transfusion and notifying the physician is the correct and crucial initial response to a transfusion reaction.